Evolution of coherence singularities in polarization singular beams

Abstract

The evolution of correlation singularities in partially coherent polarization singular beams (PC-PSBs) is investigated. Since PSBs are the superposition of two orthogonally polarized vortex beams, the occurrence of coherence singularities in PC-PSBs is strongly governed by the topological charge of the component vortex beams and the spatial coherence length. Coherence singularities appear in the form of ring dislocations in the modulus of the spectral degree of coherence (SDoC) profile, and the number of ring dislocations is equal to the higher value of the topological charge of the superposing vortex beam. Furthermore, the SDoC phase profile can be used to determine the polarity of a PC-PSB. The findings of the study could be valuable in various applications that rely on the spatial coherence of beams, such as free-space communication and imaging.