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Related Concept Videos

Interference and Diffraction02:18

Interference and Diffraction

Interference is a characteristic phenomenon exhibited by waves. When two electromagnetic waves interact with their peaks and troughs coinciding, a resulting wave with enhanced amplitude is produced. This is known as constructive interference. In this case, the two waves interacting are in phase with each other.
Interference and Superposition of Waves01:07

Interference and Superposition of Waves

When two waves of the same nature occur in the same region simultaneously, they result in interference. Interference of waves implies that the net effect of the waves is the sum of the individual waves' effects. However, it does not imply that the individual waves affect the propagation of other waves.
Interference occurs in mechanical waves, such as sound waves, waves on a string, and surface water waves. Mechanical waves correspond to the physical displacement of particles. Hence,...
Interference: Path Lengths01:10

Interference: Path Lengths

Consider two sources of sound, that may or may not be in phase, emitting waves at a single frequency, and consider the frequencies to be the same.
Two special sources may be considered when they are in phase. This can be easily achieved by feeding the two sources from the same source. An example would be synchronizing the two speakers by feeding them with the same source, such as the sound waves produced by a tuning fork. This setup ensures that the two sources have the same frequency and are...
Sound Waves: Interference00:53

Sound Waves: Interference

Sound waves can be modeled either as longitudinal waves, wherein the molecules of the medium oscillate around an equilibrium position, or as pressure waves. When two identical waves from the same source superimpose on each other, the combination of two crests or two troughs results in amplitude reinforcement known as constructive interference. If two identical waves, that are initially in phase, become out of phase because of different path lengths, the combination of crests with troughs...
The de Broglie Wavelength02:32

The de Broglie Wavelength

In the macroscopic world, objects that are large enough to be seen by the naked eye follow the rules of classical physics. A billiard ball moving on a table will behave like a particle; it will continue traveling in a straight line unless it collides with another ball, or it is acted on by some other force, such as friction. The ball has a well-defined position and velocity or well-defined momentum, p = mv, which is defined by mass m and velocity v at any given moment. This is the typical...
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Interference01:25

Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Interference

Interference leads to systematic error in atomic absorption (AA) measurements by enhancing or diminishing the analytical signal or the background. These interferences can be grouped into three main categories: spectral interference, chemical interference, and physical interference.
Spectral interference occurs when signals from other elements or molecules overlap with the analyte signal, falsely elevating or masking the analyte's absorbance. This interference can be corrected using Zeeman,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Measurement of Quantum Interference in a Silicon Ring Resonator Photon Source
12:19

Measurement of Quantum Interference in a Silicon Ring Resonator Photon Source

Published on: April 4, 2017

Theory of two beam interference with arbitrary spectra.

Zhilin Hu, Andrew M Rollins

    Optics Express
    |June 18, 2009
    PubMed
    Summary

    A new formulation simplifies analyzing interferometer interference with unequal spectra in dispersive media. This method enhances understanding of spectral distribution effects and coherence length in optical systems.

    Area of Science:

    • Optics and Photonics
    • Interferometry
    • Spectroscopy

    Background:

    • Interferometry is crucial for precise measurements, but spectral differences and dispersion complicate analysis.
    • Existing models struggle with unequal Gaussian spectra in varying dispersive media.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To develop a novel formulation for the interference term in two-beam interferometers with unequal Gaussian spectra.
    • To generalize this formulation for arbitrary spectral distributions.
    • To analyze the impact of spectral inequalities and dispersion on phase and group delays.

    Main Methods:

    • Defining composite standard deviation and center frequency for interfering spectra.
    • Decomposing arbitrary spectra into a linear composition of Gaussian distributions.

    More Related Videos

    The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry
    12:14

    The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry

    Published on: August 12, 2013

    Measurement of X-ray Beam Coherence along Multiple Directions Using 2-D Checkerboard Phase Grating
    10:39

    Measurement of X-ray Beam Coherence along Multiple Directions Using 2-D Checkerboard Phase Grating

    Published on: October 11, 2016

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

    Measurement of Quantum Interference in a Silicon Ring Resonator Photon Source
    12:19

    Measurement of Quantum Interference in a Silicon Ring Resonator Photon Source

    Published on: April 4, 2017

    The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry
    12:14

    The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry

    Published on: August 12, 2013

    Measurement of X-ray Beam Coherence along Multiple Directions Using 2-D Checkerboard Phase Grating
    10:39

    Measurement of X-ray Beam Coherence along Multiple Directions Using 2-D Checkerboard Phase Grating

    Published on: October 11, 2016

  • Deriving an effective coherence length.

    • Main Results:

    • A new formulation accurately describes interference terms for unequal Gaussian spectra in different dispersive media.
    • Effective phase and group delays quantify spectral and dispersion effects.
    • An effective coherence length, distinct from individual field coherence lengths, is derived.

    Conclusions:

    • The new formulation provides a robust framework for analyzing complex interferometer systems.
    • Experimental validation using optical coherence tomography confirms the formulation's accuracy.
    • This work advances the understanding of spectral interference in optical metrology.