title: Role of caustics in the formation of networks of amplitude zeros for partially developed speckle fields.
abstract: The topology of a partially developed speckle field was studied by use of interference techniques through computer simulation. Amplitude and phase structures in the vicinity of caustics for a coherent radiation field scattered at a surface with large inhomogeneities were investigated. It was confirmed that the caustics are indispensible components of the procedure for the formation of networks of amplitude zeros for a coherent field scattered by a rough surface with large inhomogeneities. It is shown that the formation of interference forklets in the field gives evidence of changes in the field's topology, as these forklets are a diagnostic sign of transition from a caustic to a three-dimensional pattern of a diffraction catastrophe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Correlation Optics, Chernivtsi University, Chernivtsi 58012, Ukraine. oleg@optical.chernovtsy.ua
authors.forename: Oleg V
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Angelsky
authors.forename: Peter P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Maksimyak
authors.forename: Alexander P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Maksimyak
authors.forename: Steen G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Yuriy A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Ushenko
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007368:Interferometry / Q000379:methods*; D015233:Models, Statistical