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glossary

Diffraction: divergent nature of a wave due to its limited size
Interference: superposition of light waves whose resulting intensity depends on the phase shifts between them
Wavelength ( of a light wave ): distance between two consecutive identical states of the electric ( or magnetic ) field
Divergence: defines the maximum angle between the light rays of a beam
Interference fringe: bright or dark band caused by light waves interference - bright and dark fringe occur for waves respectively in phase and out of phase with one another
Interfringe: distance between two consecutive bright or dark fringes of an interference pattern