Can spatial coherence effects produce a local minimum of intensity at focus?

Opt Lett. 2003 Sep 15;28(18):1627-9. doi: 10.1364/ol.28.001627.

Abstract

It is demonstrated that, for high-Fresnel-number focusing systems illuminated by certain classes of partially coherent light, it is possible to produce a local minimum of intensity at the geometrical focus. Such an effect is possible even though the average intensity in the entrance plane of the lens is uniform. An explanation is offered for this effect, and potential applications are considered.