Combining high frequencies to get a large frequency

AI Thread Summary
Combining high frequencies can indeed result in a lower frequency or larger wavelength through processes like constructive and destructive interference. This phenomenon, known as heterodyning, is commonly used in various applications, including radio technology and audio tuning. The discussion highlights how this technique can also enhance microscopy by moving spatial frequencies beyond traditional resolution limits. Participants noted the relevance of beat frequencies in practical scenarios, such as synchronizing engines in aviation. Overall, the exploration of high-frequency combinations reveals significant implications in both theoretical and applied physics.
kmarinas86
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"Combining high frequencies to get a large frequency"

"Combining high frequencies to get a large wavelength"

Is this possible? There will be constructive and destructive interference, but can there be anything that increases the wavelength?
 
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What is a "large" frequency?
 
billiards said:
What is a "large" frequency?
I think he means "to get a low frequency" and "anything that increases wavelength".
 
DaveC426913 said:
I think he means "to get a low frequency" and "anything that increases wavelength".

Ya... that's what i meant ... don't know why i didn't see that =p
 
Well, do 2 waves interact with each other if they meet? And if they do, in what level?
 


kmarinas86 said:
"Combining high frequencies to get a large wavelength"

Is this possible? There will be constructive and destructive interference, but can there be anything that increases the wavelength?

Yes it is and its quit common. Radios use this to bring rf frequencies down to audio f. Piano tuners use this to tell when they're approaching the right string tension. Pilots use it to sync up twin engines on boats and planes. It's call a beat frequency. I bet wikipedia.org has something on it. take a look.
alex
 


The technique is referred to as heterodyning.
 


Heterodyning is also beginning to be applied to microscopy, to move spatial frequencies beyond the classical resolution limit back into the exit pupil. One way is off-axis illumination, but there are several:

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Sep 13;102(37):13081-6. "Nonlinear structured-illumination microscopy: wide-field fluorescence imaging with theoretically unlimited resolution.", Gustafsson MG.
 


Interesting..
When coupling a fiber-optic bundle image transfer block to a fibre-optic faceplate on an image intensifier, we used to rotate the part to a place where the Moire patterns and other effects were minimum.

I noticed once that as the planes of fibres came to line up with the faceplates (bundles of hexagons) structure, I could make in the interference patterns, a clear image of the boundaries, including broken interfaces and distorted joins. Also, I could get several versions of these, getting bigger as I approached "zero beat".

This was about 15 years ago. I wondered at the time whether the effect could be used for microscopy, and now, whether what I saw is part of this.

Heterodyning is also beginning to be applied to microscopy, to move spatial frequencies beyond the classical resolution limit back into the exit pupil. One way is off-axis illumination, but there are several:

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Sep 13;102(37):13081-6. "Nonlinear structured-illumination microscopy: wide-field fluorescence imaging with theoretically unlimited resolution.", Gustafsson MG.
 
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