Are EM radiation frequencies quantified?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the quantization of electromagnetic (EM) radiation frequencies, exploring whether there exists a fundamental frequency from which all others are derived, as well as the existence of absolute low and high frequencies in EM radiation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether EM radiation can exist at any frequency or if there is a fundamental "quantum" frequency that serves as a basis for other frequencies.
  • One participant argues that the quantization of EM frequency is a result of boundary conditions, suggesting that in free propagation, all frequencies can be achieved without quantized values.
  • Another participant adds that frequency quantization is already present in classical electromagnetism.
  • It is noted that there is no absolute low or high frequency for EM radiation, although extremely high frequencies can lead to significant energy interactions, such as producing mesons from collisions.
  • One participant states that the absolute low frequency for EM radiation can be represented by a constant electric field, as found in a DC potential difference.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence of a fundamental frequency for EM radiation and the limits of frequency, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific conditions or definitions, such as the context of free propagation versus boundary conditions, and the nature of high-energy interactions is not fully explored.

cgw
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Maybe the wrong word but can you get electromagnetic radiation in any frequency or is there a "quantum" frequency for which all other frequencies are some integer multiple?
Related question - is there an absolute low and high frequency?
 
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cgw said:
Maybe the wrong word but can you get electromagnetic radiation in any frequency or is there a "quantum" frequency for which all other frequencies are some integer multiple?
Related question - is there an absolute low and high frequency?

The quantization of EM frequency is only a result of the boundary conditions. Under a free propagation, you can, in principle get all the frequencies that you want. There's no quantized values. This is essentially what get a synchrotron centers using insertion devices such as wigglers and undulators. You can vary the spacing of the magnetic undulators as large or as small as you want that is technically possible, and you get a whole continuous spectrum of freq.

Zz.
 
Last edited:
I would even like to add to what ZapperZ said, and point out that this "frequency quantization" is already entirely present in classical electromagnetism.
 
Related question - is there an absolute low and high frequency?

Short answer - nope. However, absurdly high frequencies have vast energy and are likely to blast whatever they hit into a shower of mesons and other weird stuff. Practically speaking, the frequency of a photon is only limited by the particulars of the process that creates it. Offhand, the most energetic collision I can think of is a cosmic ray proton-antiproton event, releasing two very, very energetic gamma rays.
 
I'll state the obvious and point out that the absolute low frequency for EM radiation is an electric field that is constant w.r.t. time, which you would find anywhere you have a DC potential difference.

Claude.
 

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