Coherence length

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-002178",
  "term": "Coherence length",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A measure of the spatial distance over which a propagating wave, such as light or a neutron beam, maintains a well-defined phase relationship. It quantifies the degree of correlation between the phase of the wave at different points in space or time. In scattering experiments, the coherence length of the incident radiation determines the maximum size of ordered structures within a sample that can be probed by interference effects.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "liquid crystal",
    "neutron",
    "scattering"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1994, 66, 1667. 'Thin films including layers: terminology in relation to their preparation and characterization (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1675 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466081667)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/coherence-length/"
}