Difference between revisions of "Coherent"
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*Coherent sources produce waves that are in sync, having a constant phase relationship. | *Coherent sources produce waves that are in sync, having a constant phase relationship. | ||
| − | Necessary for producing clear interference patterns. | + | *Necessary for producing clear interference patterns. |
| − | Coherent waves are typically monochromatic and have the same frequency. | + | *Coherent waves are typically monochromatic and have the same frequency. |
| − | Essential in applications like lasers, holography, and interferometry. | + | *Essential in applications like lasers, holography, and interferometry. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| + | *Coherence can be temporal (constant phase difference over time) or spatial (constant phase difference | ||
across space). | across space). | ||
| − | The degree of coherence affects the visibility and contrast of interference fringes. | + | *The degree of coherence affects the visibility and contrast of interference fringes. |
| − | Achieving coherence often involves stabilizing the frequency and phase of the wave sources. | + | *Achieving coherence often involves stabilizing the frequency and phase of the wave sources. |
===Examples=== | ===Examples=== | ||
Revision as of 11:22, 17 May 2024
Key Stage 5
Meaning
Two sources of waves are coherent if they emit waves with a constant phase difference.
About Coherence
- Coherent sources produce waves that are in sync, having a constant phase relationship.
- Necessary for producing clear interference patterns.
- Coherent waves are typically monochromatic and have the same frequency.
- Essential in applications like lasers, holography, and interferometry.
- Coherence can be temporal (constant phase difference over time) or spatial (constant phase difference
across space).
- The degree of coherence affects the visibility and contrast of interference fringes.
- Achieving coherence often involves stabilizing the frequency and phase of the wave sources.
Examples
Laser light is coherent and can produce clear interference and diffraction patterns.
In a double-slit experiment, coherent light sources create distinct and stable interference fringes.