An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

One of two light beams derived from the same source in → interference experiments. It is impossible to obtain interference from two separate sources because their → wavefronts do not have a constant → phase difference. In → Young’s experiment, → Fresnel’s biprism, → Fresnel’s mirrors, and → Lloyd’s mirror the two sources always have a point-to-point correspondence of phase, since they are both derived from the same source.

See also: → coherent; → source.