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elemis
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What is the difference between the two in simple terms ?
Temporal coherence is a measure of how consistent a wave's phase is over time. In other words, it describes the degree to which a wave maintains a constant frequency and wavelength over time.
Temporal coherence is typically quantified using the coherence time, which is the amount of time over which the phase of a wave remains constant. The higher the coherence time, the more coherent the wave is.
Spatial coherence refers to how consistent a wave's phase is in space. It describes the degree to which a wave maintains a constant frequency and wavelength across different points in space.
Spatial coherence and temporal coherence are closely related, as they both measure the consistency of a wave's phase. In fact, temporal coherence can be thought of as a measure of spatial coherence over time.
Coherence is important in scientific research because it allows for precise control and manipulation of waves. This is especially useful in fields such as optics and acoustics, where coherence is necessary for techniques such as interferometry and holography.