Wave-optics simulation of correlated speckle fields for use in closed-loop-tracking studies

In this study, we use a series of computational-wave-optics experiments to address the statistics associated with image-plane speckle fields resulting from a tilted flat plate that is rough compared to the wavelength of uniform illumination. To quantify the strength of simulated speckle, we make use of the focal ratio a.k.a. f number. This parameter provides a gauge for the size of speckles appearing across the image of a target. Our goal throughout is to show that, frame to frame, the analysis can appropriately simulate correlated speckle fields in an image plane. Our results show that the speckle fields we simulate are properly correlated from one frame to the next, relative to closed-form expressions. This outcome leads to the ability to perform closed-loop-tracking studies, which are becoming increasingly important for applications that involve imaging through turbulence.