Speckled cross-spectral densities and their associated correlation singularities for a modern source of partially coherent x rays

Abstract: We consider a realistic model for calculating the cross-spectral density of partially coherent beams from an x-ray undulator in a modern storage ring. This two-point coherence function is seen to have a speckled structure associated with the presence of x-ray coherence vortices and domain walls. Such cross-spectral density speckle is associated with a network of spatial pairs of points for which there is zero correlation. X-ray coherence vortices and domain walls are seen to emerge naturally as the number of coherent modes required increases. An understanding of the existence and nature of such correlation singularities enhances our ability to exploit partially coherent x-ray radiation from new or upgraded synchrotron sources, for both imaging and diffraction applications.