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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
Effective focal length: algebraic distance from the primary/secondary principal plane of an optical system to its front/back focal plane
Lens: optical component with two refractive surfaces axially symmetrical for redirecting the light in a controlled manner
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