Incoherent light is a type of light that lacks a fixed phase relationship between its waves. The IPA transcription for "incoherent" is /ˌɪnkəʊˈhɪərənt/, which can be broken down into individual sounds. The first syllable, "ink," is pronounced with a short "i" sound (/ɪ/) followed by a nasal "n" sound (/n/). The second syllable, "oh," is pronounced with a long "o" sound (/əʊ/). The final syllable, "herent," is pronounced with a softly emphasized "h" followed by a long "e" sound (/hiːrənt/). Together, they form the word "incoherent."
Incoherent light refers to a type of light that lacks a defined phase relationship between its individual waves or photons. It is characterized by random fluctuations in both the amplitude and the phase of the electromagnetic waves that constitute the light. As a result, the waves of incoherent light do not maintain a consistent and predictable relationship with one another.
In contrast to coherent light, which exhibits properties such as interference and diffraction due to its well-defined phase relationship, incoherent light does not produce these phenomena. Incoherent light can be generated by numerous sources, including thermal radiation from hot objects, such as a light bulb filament, or via a process called spontaneous emission in lasers.
Due to its lack of phase correlation, incoherent light tends to appear chaotic and scattered, lacking the distinct and organized patterns exhibited by coherent light. This diffused quality of incoherent light makes it less suitable for many applications that require precise control of light waves, such as holography or laser-based measurements. However, incoherent light is still widely used in everyday lighting applications, as it provides a general illumination and is easily produced by conventional sources like incandescent or fluorescent bulbs.
The word "incoherent" originates from the Latin prefix "in-", meaning "not", and the Latin word "cohaerere", meaning "to stick together" or "to be connected". "Light" comes from the Old English word "liht" or "leoht", ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*leuhtam". The term "incoherent light" specifically refers to light waves that are not in phase, meaning the peaks and valleys of the waves are not aligned, resulting in a random mixture of frequencies and phases.