Theoretical and experimental generation of partially coherent crescent-like multi-vortex-correlated Schell-mode beams.

• A new kind of partially coherent crescent-like beams with off-axis vortex is proposed. • The partially coherent crescent-like beams with off-axis vortex is experimentally generated. • The intensity pattern of such off-axis vortex beam possesses additional dark cores. • The off-axis vortex provides an additional degree of freedom for focus shaping. Based on the integral superposition method of constructing partially coherent beam model, a partially coherent crescent-like multi-vortex-correlated Schell-mode beam is first proposed. Numerical simulation results show that the beam possesses a crescent-like intensity distribution with multiple off-axis vortices on the source plane. By means of digital holography, the spatial light modulator was loaded with holograms, which realized experimentally the generation of this beam. The experimental normalized intensity distribution is basically consistent with the theoretical results. Adjusting the parameter N 0 , off-axis distance s and phase angle φ 0 , one can precisely control the number and position of multiple off-axis vortices. The results obtained are of importance for adjusting the beam centroid and studying vortex optics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]