Difference between revisions of "Generic wavelength"

Latest revision as of 03:02, 21 January 2009

Generic wavelength

"Generic wavelength" differs from the classical definition for - wavelength in that it applies to discrete lengths which have an absolute frequency relationship to the numeric value that defines - Angular frequency, which is the numeric value equal to 2π radians, and denoted by the Greek letter ω. There is a need to apply a consistent definition to the term such that its meaning is understood by the scientific community. The term is used in defining the scientific base units in Mars Metrology.

Historical use

"Generic wavelength" has minimal use in technical literature and is not used consistently. It may be any wavelength that has been defined as a common value for a particular report and may not have the same meaning in a different report by the same author or in reports by different authors. The term wavelength is applied to electromagnetic, sound waves or any other periodic motion that results from Mechanical energy. The majority of the reports that have used the term generic wavelength apply it to electromagnetic waves, and this in microwave and optical (laser) applications.

Wavelength to Frequency relationships

The mathematical formula that identifies the relationship between wavelength and frequency is described in the article titled - wavelength. In usage, a Generic wavelength will be all those wavelengths, when translated to frequency, results in a numeric value equal to any powers of ten multiple or division that equals 2π.

Using three lengths as examples, in centimeters, 47.71345 cm, 477.1345, and 4771.345 cm, and the numeric value of the speed of light expressed in centimeters, 29979.2458 (10⁶) centimers per second, will all produce a numeric frequency value that will equal 2π times a tens multiplier, 628.3185 (10⁶)Hz, 62.83185 (10⁶)Hz and 6.283185 (10⁶)Hz, respectively.

See also

   * pi
   * Hz or Hertz