
Coherent sources
Coherent sources refer to light sources that emit waves in a consistent and uniform manner, meaning the light waves maintain a fixed phase relationship over time. This results in light that is not only in sync but also has a specific frequency and wavelength. A common example of a coherent source is a laser, which produces a concentrated beam of light with consistent color and direction. In contrast, everyday light sources, like regular bulbs, emit light in a more random fashion, leading to less coherence. Coherence is crucial in applications like holography and interference patterns.