Edge contrast enhancement using vortex speckles

We study, theoretically and experimentally, the edge contrast performance when the illumination is provided by partially coherent fields originating from Gaussian or perfect optical vortex (POV) beams. We demonstrate that the latter permits one to better distinguish object discontinuities and improves the edge contrast. Our results suggest that active illumination procedures for target detection and discrimination could benefit from the additional flexibility provided by using partially coherent light from a POV.