Evolution of emergent C-points, L-lines, and C-lines in free space.

Polarization singularities, which emerge from the incoherent superposition of two vector electric fields with the same frequency, and their evolution in free space are studied analytically and illustrated by numerical examples. It is shown that there exist C-points, L-lines, in particular, C-lines in incoherently superimposed two-dimensional wavefields. Usually, the C-lines are unstable and disappear during the free-space propagation. The motion, pair creation{annihilation process of the emergent C-points, as well as the distortion of the L-lines may take place, and the degree of polarization of the emergent C-points varies upon propagation and may be less than 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]