BRAINCAKECoherence
Coherent waves have the same frequency and a constant phase difference.
The double slits are illuminated with the same light source. As long as the light source is a laser light or a narrow slit if the light is not a laser light the double slits will emit waves which are coherent.
The light is collimated - almost perfectly parallel.
Fringe separation depends on colour.
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Key terms in this lesson
- Phase difference
- The difference, measured in radians or degrees, between the phases of two oscillating points or waves.
- Fringe spacing
- The distance between the centres of adjacent bright, or dark, fringes in an interference pattern.