Planar, scalar, optical Schell-model, and quasi-homogeneous sources with correlations that are Fourier transforms of multi-Gaussian functions are introduced. It is demonstrated that far fields produced by these families of sources carry interesting characteristics, being flatlike with adjustable steepness of the edge. Beam conditions for such sources are also derived.

In a recent publication [Opt. Lett.37, 2970 (2012)10.1364/OL.37.002970], a novel class of planar stochastic sources, generating far fields with flat intensity profiles, was introduced. In this paper we examine the behavior of the spectral density and the state of coherence of beamlike fields generated by such sources on propagation in free space and linear isotropic random media. In particular, we find that at sufficiently large distances from the source, the medium destroys the flat intensity profile, even if it remains such for intermediate distances from the source.

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A three-dimensional multi-Gaussian function, being a finite sum of Gaussian functions, is adopted for modeling of a spherically symmetric scatterer with a semisoft boundary, i.e. such that has continuous and adjustable drop in the index of refraction. A Gaussian sphere and a hard sphere are the two limiting cases when the number of terms in multi-Gaussian distribution is one and infinity, respectively. The effect of the boundary's softness on the intensity distribution of the scattered wave is revealed. The generalization of the model to random scatterers with semisoft boundaries is also outlined.

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