The phenomenon in which the superposition of two or more light waves produces a resultant disturbance of redistributed light intensity or energy is called the interference of light.
Light waves are transverse in nature. If two monochromatic light waves of the same frequency arrive in phase at a point, the crest of one wave coincides with the crest of the other and the trough of one wave coincides with the trough of the other. Therefore, the resultant amplitude and hence the resultant intensity of light at that point is maximum and the point is bright. This phenomenon is called constructive interference. If two light waves having the same amplitude are in opposite phase, the crest of one wave coincides with the trough of the other. Therefore, the resultant amplitude, and hence the intensity, at that point is minimum (zero) and the point is dark. This phenomenon is called destructive interference. If the amplitudes are unequal, the resultant amplitude is minimum, but not zero. At other points, the intensity of light lies between the maximum and zero.
