A phase factor is the factor (θ) representing the phase of a phasor (eiθ). It is a complex number of absolute value 1. Multiplying the equation of a plane wave (Aei(k·r−ωt)) by the phase factor offsets the phase of the wave by θ.
In quantum mechanics, the phase factor multiplies a bra or ket. It does not, in itself, have any physical meaning, but differences in phase factors between two interacting quantum states can have important physical effects.
In optics, it is an important quantity the treatment of interference.
See also
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