Phase singularity annihilation of focused partially coherent beams

Expressions for focused Gaussian Schell-model (GSM) beams are derived and used to study the annihilation and subwavelength structures of phase singularities in the focal region, and to compare with the case of fully coherent Gaussian beams. It is found that the truncation parameter δ and normalized coherence length ε both affect the presence and spatial distribution of phase singularities in the focal plane. Additionally, during the creation and annihilation process the saddle point near the phase singularity does not disappear in the focal plane for GSM beams.