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← ScienceWhich consequence arises when the path lengths traversed by light waves within an interferometer exceed its coherence length?
A)Fringe contrast diminishes considerably✓
B)Wavelength shifts to ultraviolet
C)Group velocity remains unchanged
D)Refractive index becomes unity
💡 Explanation
Fringe visibility greatly decreases, because constructive and destructive interference only produce high contrast when using coherent light; exceeding the coherence length causes the waves to lose their phase relationship and interfere randomly, therefore fringes wash out rather than distinct patterns appearing.
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