Interferenci

Interferenci is a phenomenon in which two or more waves overlap in space and time, resulting in a new wave pattern that reflects the relative phase, amplitude, and wavelength of the contributing waves. It is a fundamental property of wave systems and is observed in light, sound, radio waves, and matter waves in quantum mechanics.

When waves combine, they can reinforce each other (constructive interference) or weaken or cancel each other out (destructive interference). The resulting intensity depends on the phase difference and the degree of coherence of the sources. Coherence, including temporal and spatial coherence, determines whether stable interference fringes can form.

Interferenci manifests in several domains. Optical interference includes thin-film interference, Newton’s rings, and measurements made with interferometers such as the Michelson or Fabry–Pérot setups. Acoustic or sonic interference explains phenomena like beats and standing waves. In radio engineering, electromagnetic interference (EMI) arises when unwanted signals affect electronic systems. In quantum physics, interference arises from the superposition of probability amplitudes, as demonstrated by the double-slit experiment, producing an interference pattern in detected particle distributions.

The analysis often uses the path difference, δ, between contributions. For monochromatic waves of wavelength λ, constructive interference occurs when δ is an integer multiple of λ, and destructive interference when δ is a half-integer multiple of λ.

Applications of interferenci include high-precision metrology and distance measurements, interferometric sensing, astronomy with interferometers, holography, and the characterization of materials. Conversely, managing interference is essential to reduce noise and ensure electromagnetic compatibility in electronic systems.