Simple schemes for measuring autocorrelation functions

Abstract

Several methods for obtaining the autocorrelation function of fluctuating signals are discussed. The efficiency of data processing and the signal−to−noise ratio obtained for a given time of data acquisition using each method is compared to that obtainable with a full (ideal) autocorrelator. Two simple methods utilizing a signal averager (CAT) were tested experimentally with a variety of noise sources and the results compared with the theoretically predicted correlation functions.