Undergrad What is the highest frequency of electromagnetic radiation?

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The discussion centers on the highest frequency of electromagnetic radiation, with a focus on gamma rays, which have a maximum observed frequency of 3 x 10^20 Hz. There is speculation that the frequency limit may be tied to the Planck length, suggesting a theoretical frequency of 1.855 x 10^43 Hz, but this remains unconfirmed due to the lack of a definitive theory of quantum gravity. Participants acknowledge that while current observations set a frequency limit, they do not necessarily define the absolute maximum possible frequency. The relationship between quantum gravity and the potential limits of electromagnetic radiation is highlighted as a key area of uncertainty. Ultimately, the consensus is that the true limits of electromagnetic frequency are still unknown.
enter
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Title says it all.

Also, if the frequency of electromagnetic radiation is limited, why? My guess is the wavelength is limited to the Planck length, and when I plug those numbers into the calculator, I get 1.855 * 10^43 Hz. The maximum (Edit: observed) frequency of a gamma ray is 3 * 10^20 Hz though.
 
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enter said:
Title says it all.

And here is the short answer: we don't know.

enter said:
My guess is the wavelength is limited to the Planck length

This is a fairly common speculation in quantum gravity, but we don't have a confirmed theory of quantum gravity so we don't know if this speculation is correct.

enter said:
The maximum frequency of a gamma ray is 3 * 10^20 Hz though.

You mean, the highest frequency of a gamma ray that we have observed is 3 * 10^20 Hz. That doesn't mean that's the highest frequency that is physically possible.
 
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PeterDonis said:
And here is the short answer: we don't know.
This is a fairly common speculation in quantum gravity, but we don't have a confirmed theory of quantum gravity so we don't know if this speculation is correct.
You mean, the highest frequency of a gamma ray that we have observed is 3 * 10^20 Hz. That doesn't mean that's the highest frequency that is physically possible.
Yeah, I misstated the gamma ray part.

I don't understand, how is quantum gravity related to this?
 
enter said:
how is quantum gravity related to this?

It's related to your guess that the minimum wavelength for EM radiation is related to the Planck length, as I said in post #2.
 

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