In terms of data transmission, what is a characteristic of coherent light?

Coherent light is characterized by maintaining a fixed phase relationship among its waves. This property means that the peaks and troughs of the light waves are aligned in time and space, which is essential for various applications such as laser technology and optical communication. Coherent light is produced by coherent sources like lasers, which emit light waves that are monochromatic (single color and wavelength) and have consistent phase relationships.

This fixed phase relationship enables coherent light to exhibit interference patterns, which are crucial in fields like holography and in technologies that rely on the precise transmission of data, such as fiber optics. The ability to maintain this fixed phase across a light beam enhances the signal-to-noise ratio in communications, allowing for more reliable data transmission over longer distances.

In contrast, the other options represent characteristics that do not apply to coherent light: unpredictable wavelengths would lead to incoherent light; difficulty in generation does not pertain to coherent light specifically, as many coherent light sources are easily generated; and high energy loss is not a defining characteristic of coherent light either, as coherent light typically displays higher efficiency in transmission compared to incoherent sources.