A phase factor is a unit-modulus complex number . Multiplying a complex amplitude by it changes its wave phase by while preserving its squared modulus. A common phase factor does not change light intensity, while different phase factors of contributions can change their interference.
The term "phase factor" is commonly used in various fields such as physics, particularly in quantum mechanics and wave physics. It typically refers to a complex factor that affects the phase of a wave or wavefunction.
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