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Path Difference

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Path Difference 

the difference in the optical paths of two light rays having common initial and terminal points. The concept of path difference is of fundamental importance in accounting for the interference and diffraction of light. Calculations of the distribution of luminous energy in optical systems are based on a determination of the path difference of the rays, or pencils of rays, passing through the systems.



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The in-plane birefringence is directly measured as the path difference (or retardation) of the normal incident laser beam [[GAMMA].
The center burst corresponds to the zero optical path difference configuration and the side bursts are the result of the optical path difference through the sample etalon.
Aside from their political and career path differences, what Henry Duque, Geoffrey Brown and Michael Peevey agree on most is a desire to apply common sense and get the job done for the good of consumers, the economy and the energy providers.
 
 
 
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