OPTICS OF LIGHT-BEAMS WITH SCREW DISLOCATIONS

The results of an experimental study in optics of waves with screw dis locations are reported. The structure of the screw dislocations of dif ferent charges produced by diffraction on the computer-synthesized gra ting or by nonlinear processes of second-harmonic generation is experi mentally studied and discussed. The rotation of a pair of first-order screw dislocations with equal signs and annihilation of a pair of disl ocations of opposite signs were detected in good agreement with theore tical predictions.