Difference between temporal and spatial coherence

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    Coherence Difference
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the distinction between temporal and spatial coherence in the context of wave physics. Participants seek clarification on these concepts and their implications.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the difference between temporal and spatial coherence, linking coherence to waves having the same wavelength.
  • Another participant provides a Wikipedia link for further reading, although there are issues with the link's formatting that prevent access.
  • A third participant corrects the link formatting issue, ensuring it directs to the intended Wikipedia article.
  • A later reply defines coherence in terms of correlation between phases, explaining that spatial coherence refers to phase correlation between two points in space, while temporal coherence refers to phase correlation between two points in time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion does not reach a consensus, as participants are still exploring the definitions and implications of coherence without a definitive resolution.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding the definitions of coherence may be implicit, and the discussion does not resolve the complexities involved in understanding these concepts fully.

ppy
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Hi,

I am confused about the difference between temporal and spatial coherence. I know coherence is when the waves have the same wavelength.

An explanation in simple terms would be great thanks :)
 
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Drakkith said:
Have you checked out this wikipedia article?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coherence_(physics )

Clicking on the link gets a page not found and the reason is the closing ) is somehow defined outside of the url tags.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coherence_(physics)
 
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Coherence describes the degree of correlation between two phases. Perfect coherence = perfectly correlated, means knowing one phase allows you to deduce the other with infinite precision. Perfect incoherence = perfectly uncorrelated, means knowing one phase gives no information whatsoever about the other phase (i.e. it is statistically random).

Spatial coherence is correlated phase between two points in space.

Temporal coherence is correlated phase between two points in time.

Claude.
 
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