cohering

Cohering is the act or process of bringing elements into coherence: a state in which components show a fixed and predictable relationship, such as a constant phase relation in waves or a unified, logically consistent whole in a discourse or model.

In optics and waves, coherence refers to a fixed phase relationship between waves at different points in space or time. Cohering light means producing or maintaining this relationship, as with lasers. Coherence is quantified by measures like visibility of interference, coherence length, and coherence time.

In quantum mechanics, coherence describes the ability of a system to maintain quantum superpositions. Coherent states preserve phase information; decoherence arises when the system interacts with its environment, destroying off-diagonal elements of the density matrix and leading to classical behavior. Applications include quantum computation and precise metrology.

Outside physics, cohering can mean making a set of elements consistent or integrated, such as cohering a narrative, data, or arguments so they support a single, cohesive whole.

See also: coherence, decoherence, laser, interferometry, quantum coherence.