Caustic analysis of partially coherent self-accelerating beams: Investigating self-healing properties

We employed caustic theory to analyze the propagation dynamics of partially coherent self-accelerating beams such as self-healing of partially coherent Airy beams. Our results indicate that appropriately reducing spatial coherence can effectively enhance the self-healing capability of beams. As the spatial coherence decreases, the self-healing ability of the beams increases. However, below a certain value of coherence, this advantage does not exist, and a longer propagation distance is required for the reconstruction. We meticulously validated these findings through both simulation and experimental data, reinforced by a quantitative similarity analysis between beams with obstacles and their obstacle-free counterparts. The application of caustic theory in the field of partially coherent structured beams not only enhances our understanding of self-healing properties but also carries substantial implications for practical applications in various fields such as optical communication, encryption, and imaging.