Coherence (physics)In physics, coherence expresses the potential for two waves to interfere. Two monochromatic beams from a single source always interfere. Even for wave sources that are not strictly monochromatic, they may still be partly coherent.
Intensity (physics)In physics and many other areas of science and engineering the intensity or flux of radiant energy is the power transferred per unit area, where the area is measured on the plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the energy. In the SI system, it has units watts per square metre (W/m), or kg⋅s in base units.
Higher order coherenceConcept in quantum opticsIn quantum optics, correlation functions are used to characterize the statistical and coherence properties – the ability of waves to interfere – of electromagnetic radiation, like optical light. Higher order coherence or n-th order coherence (for any positive integer n>1) extends the concept of coherence to quantum optics and coincidence experiments.
Quantum mechanicsDescription of physical properties at the atomic and subatomic scaleWave functions of the electron in a hydrogen atom at different energy levels. Quantum mechanics cannot predict the exact location of a particle in space, only the probability of finding it at different locations.AmplitudeThe amplitude of a periodic variable is a measure of its change in a single period (such as time or spatial period). The amplitude of a non-periodic signal is its magnitude compared with a reference value. There are various definitions of amplitude (see below), which are all functions of the magnitude of the differences between the variable's extreme values. In older texts, the phase of a periodic function is sometimes called the amplitude.
Wave interferenceIn physics, interference is a phenomenon in which two coherentwaves are combined by adding their intensities or displacements with due consideration for their phase difference. The resultant wave may have greater amplitude (constructive interference) or lower amplitude (destructive interference) if the two waves are in phase or out of phase, respectively.
Power (physics)Power is the amount of energy transferred or converted per unit time. In the International System of Units, the unit of power is the watt (symbol W), equal to one joule per second (J/s). Power is a scalar quantity. The output power of a motor is the product of the torque that the motor generates and the angular velocity of its output shaft.
OpticsBranch of physics that studies lightOptics is the branch of physics that studies the behaviour, manipulation, and detection of electromagnetic radiation, including its interactions with matter and instruments that use or detect it. Optics usually describes the behaviour of visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light. The study of optics extends to other forms of electromagnetic radiation, including radio waves, microwaves, and X-rays.
PointwiseIn mathematics, the qualifier pointwise is used to indicate that a certain property is defined by considering each value f(x){\displaystyle f(x)} of some functionf.{\displaystyle f.} An important class of pointwise concepts are the pointwise operations, that is, operations defined on functions by applying the operations to function values separately for each point in the domain of definition. Important relations can also be defined pointwise.Display contrastIn physics and digital imaging, contrast is a quantifiable property used to describe the difference in appearance between elements within a visual field. It is closely linked with the perceived brightness of objects and is typically defined by specific formulas that involve the luminances of the stimuli. For example, contrast can be quantified as ΔL/L near the luminance threshold, known as Weber contrast, or as LH/LL at much higher luminances.
Superposition principleThe superposition principle, also known as superposition property, states that, for all linear systems, the net response caused by two or more stimuli is the sum of the responses that would have been caused by each stimulus individually. So that if input A produces response X, and input B produces response Y, then input (A + B) produces response (X + Y). A functionF(x){\displaystyle F(x)} that satisfies the superposition principle is called a linear function.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.