Fáziskoherencia

Fáziskoherencia, often translated as phase coherence or phase memory, is a phenomenon in physics that describes the ability of a quantum system to maintain a definite phase relationship between different quantum states over time. This phase relationship is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics, underpinning phenomena like interference. When a system exhibits fáziskoherencia, its wave function maintains a stable and predictable phase, allowing for the observation of quantum interference effects.

The loss of fáziskoherencia is known as decoherence. Decoherence occurs when a quantum system interacts with its environment, leading to a loss of the delicate phase relationships between its constituent quantum states. This interaction effectively "entangles" the system with the environment, and the information about the system's precise phase is dispersed into the environment, making it inaccessible. Fáziskoherencia is therefore crucial for many quantum technologies, such as quantum computing and quantum cryptography, which rely on maintaining quantum coherence for their operation.

Experiments designed to study fáziskoherencia often involve phenomena like the double-slit experiment, where the interference pattern observed depends on the coherence of the particles passing through the slits. The duration for which fáziskoherencia is maintained is known as the coherence time. Factors such as temperature, the presence of external fields, and the interaction strength with the environment can significantly influence the coherence time. Understanding and controlling fáziskoherencia is a key challenge in advancing our understanding of quantum mechanics and developing practical quantum devices.