Monochromatic radiation
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In physics, monochromatic radiation is electromagnetic radiation with a single constant frequency or wavelength.[1] When that frequency is part of the visible spectrum (or near it) the term monochromatic light is often used. Monochromatic light is perceived by the human eye as a spectral color.
When monochromatic radiation propagates through vacuum or a homogeneous transparent medium, it remains with a single constant frequency or wavelength; otherwise, it suffers refraction.
Practical monochromaticity
No radiation can be totally monochromatic,
Generation
Monochromatic radiation can be produced by a number of methods. Isaac Newton observed that a beam of light from the sun could be spread out by refraction into a fan of light with varying colors; and that if a beam of any particular color was isolated from that fan, it behaved as "pure" light that could not be decomposed further.
When atoms of a
A laser is a device that generates monochromatic and coherent radiation through a process of stimulated emission.
Properties and uses
When monochromatic radiation is made to
In the technique of
See also
- Wave
- Acoustics
- Optics
- Monochromator
- Interferometer
- Diffraction grating
- Dichroic filter
- Monochromatic plane wave
- Newton rings
References
- ^ a b Entry "monochromatic light" in the Oxford Reference online dictionary. Accessed on 2021-11-22 at
- ^ Bureau international des poids et measures (2019): Le système international d'unités, complete brochure, 9th edition.
- ^ NIST (2019): Special Publication 330: The International System of Units (SI) 2019 Edition.