Cascade self-splitting of a Hermite-cos-Gaussian correlated Schell-model beam

We propose a new kind of partially coherent beam with a nonconventional correlation function termed as Hermite-cos-Gaussian correlated Schell-model (HcGCSM) beam. The propagation properties of this novel model beam are investigated. It is found that the HcGCSM beam exhibits cascade self-splitting properties on propagation in free space, i.e. , the initial single beam spot is proved to be successively split for two times during the whole propagation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the cascade self-splitting phenomenon can be closely controlled through modulating the spectral degree of coherence of a HcGCSM beam in the source plane.