Shearograms of an optical phase singularity

Abstract

Shearograms are known to represent phase gradients but when vortices are present in the optical field, these do not represent true phase gradients. Phase gradients of an optical phase singularity are presented. A lateral shear interferometer is used for obtaining shearograms of optical fields with vortices. A diffractive phase element is used to generate vortices. It is shown that shearograms can be used in the detection of optical vortices. Shearogram of speckle field is also presented.