Anritsu spectrum User Manual
Sources
Water absorption 22GHz
Water absorption 183GHz
T=2.725K
CMB
of EMR
Radioac-
tive
elements
Xray
machines
Incan-
descent
light
bulb
People
Radar
Mi-
crowave
oven
Cell
phone
Radio
tower
Induction
Heating
Power
Lines
(50,60Hz)
Human
Brain
Sources
of EMR
Sizes of
EMR
Water
Molecule
0.3nm
Virus 17-
300nm
Bacteria
3µm-
800nm
Single
Cell
10µm
Honey
Bee
1.2cm
Football
308mm
People
1.8m
House
12m
Football
Field
100m
Earth
12,756
km
Sizes of
EMR
GAMMA RAYS
X-RAYS
EUV
VUV
FUV
200nm 100nm 10nm
MUV
NUV
300
400
VISIBLE
INFRARED
3THz
Microwave µmm-band
Microwave mm-band
EHF Extremely High Frequency
30GHz 300GHz
SHF Super High Frequency
3GHz
UHF Ultra High Frequency
300MHz
VHF Very High Frequency
30MHz
HF High Frequency
Short Wave radio
3MHz
MF Medium Frequency
300kHz
LF Low Frequency
30kHz
3kHz
30Hz
3Hz
Long Wave radio
VLF Very Low Frequency
ELF Extremely Low Frequency
ULF Ultra Low Frequency
One Cycle
Per Second
4.61 EHz
2.31 EHz
1.15 EHz
576 PHz
288 PHz
144 PHz
72.1 PHz
36.0 PHz
18.0 PHz
9.01 PHz
4.50 PHz
ULTRAVIOLET
2.25 PHz
1.13 PHz
563 THz
281 THz
141 THz
70.4 THz
35.2 THz
17.6 THz
8.80 THz
4.40 THz
2.20 THz
1.10 THz
550 GHz
275 GHz
137 GHz
68.7 GHz
34.4 GHz
MICROWAVERADIO WAVES
17.2 GHz
8.59 GHz
4.29 GHz
2.15 GHz
1.07 GHz
76
537 MHz
268 MHz
134 MHz
67.1 MHz
33.6 MHz
16.8 MHz
8.39 MHz
4.19 MHz
2.10 MHz
1.05 MHz
524 kHz
262 kHz
131 kHz
65.5 kHz
32.8 kHz
16.4 kHz
8.19 kHz
4.10 kHz
2.05 kHz
1.02 kHz
512 Hz
256 Hz
128 Hz
64.0 Hz
32.0 Hz
16.0 Hz
8Hz
8.00 Hz
4.00 Hz
2.00 Hz
1.00 Hz
500 mHz
250 mHz
125 mHz
62.5 mHz
31.2 mHz
The Electromagnetic Radiation Spectrum
∞Hz
1
m
∞
∞eV
6.52 EHz
3.26 EHz
1.63 EHz
Hard XRay
815 PHz
408 PHz
204 PHz
Soft XRay
102 PHz
51.0 PHz
25.5 PHz
12.7 PHz
6.37 PHz
3.18 PHz
1.59 PHz
UV-A1
796 THz
398 THz
Near Infrared
199 THz
3µm
99.5 THz
Thermal Infrared
49.8 THz
24.9 THz
12.4 THz
Far Infrared
6.22 THz
3.11 THz
1.55 THz
777 GHz
389 GHz
194 GHz
97.2 GHz
Microwave V-band
48.6 GHz
24.3 GHz
0.1nm
25.5 keV
12.7 keV
6.36 keV
3.18 keV
1.59 keV
796 eV
398 eV
199 eV
99.4 eV
49.7 eV
EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet)
24.9 eV
61.4 pm
123 pm
245 pm
491 pm
1nm
982 pm
1.96 nm
3.93 nm
7.85 nm
15.7 nm
31.4 nm
62.8 nm
21.4 keV
10.7 keV
5.35 keV
2.68 keV
1.34 keV
669 eV
335 eV
167 eV
83.6 eV
41.8 eV
20.9 eV
5.48 EHz
2.74 EHz
1.37 EHz
686 PHz
343 PHz
171 PHz
85.7 PHz
42.8 PHz
21.4 PHz
10.7 PHz
5.36 PHz
51.6 pm
103 pm
206 pm
413 pm
826 pm
1.65 nm
3.30 nm
6.60 nm
13.2 nm
26.4 nm
52.8 nm
100nm
12.4 eV
126 nm
10.5 eV
2.68 PHz
106 nm
UV-C
I
6.22 eV
400nm
3.11 eV
1.55 eV
H
777 meV
388 meV
194 meV
97.1 meV
48.6 meV
24.3 meV
100µm
1.34 PHz
669 THz
335 THz
251 nm
503 nm
1.01 µm
5.23 eV
VISIBLE SPECTRUM
2.61 eV
1.31 eV
K
2.01 µm
4.02 µm
8.04 µm
16.1 µm
32.2 µm
64.3 µm
653 meV
327 meV
163 meV
81.7 meV
30µm
40.8 meV
20.4 meV
167 THz
83.7 THz
41.8 THz
20.9 THz
10.5 THz
5.23 THz
B
1.69 µm
3.38 µm
6.76 µm
13.5 µm
27.1 µm
54.1 µm
211 nm
423 nm
845 nm
3THz
12.1 meV
6.07 meV
3.03 meV
1.52 meV
759 µeV
129 µm
257 µm
515 µm
1.03 mm
2.06 mm
10.2 meV
5.10 meV
2.55 meV
1.28 meV
638 µeV
2.62 THz
1.31 THz
654 GHz
327 GHz
163 GHz
108 µm
216 µm
433 µm
866 µm
1.73 mm
Microwave W-band
379 µeV
46GHz
190 µeV
94.8 µeV
4.12 mm
36GHz
8.24 mm
18GHz
16.5 mm
319 µeV
81.7 GHz
Microwave Q-band
160 µeV
40.9 GHz
Microwave K-band (Kurtz)
79.8 µeV
20.4 GHz
3.46 mm
6.93 mm
13.9 mm
Microwave X-band (X marks the spot)
32.9 mm
39.9 µeV
10.2 GHz
27.7 mm
Wireless LAN
65.9 mm
Cordless phone
2.4GHz
132 mm
19.9 µeV
W-LAN
9.97 µeV
5.11 GHz
Microwave Oven
2.45GHz
2.55 GHz
55.4 mm
Microwave S-band (Short)
111 mm
Microwave L-band (Long)
222 mm
44
100
104
103
102
101
48
47
46
45
443 mm
43
42
41
886 mm
Marine Mobile
21
1.77 m
3.55 m
7.09 m
Aero
15m
T-9
14.2 m
Intnl. and relays
28.4 m
56.7 m
Marine
113 m
227 m
454 m
908 m
1.82 km
3.63 km
49
105
22
6
06
Navigational Beacons
264 mm
25
78
77
Microwave P-band (Previous)
32
80
79
527 mm
33
81
84
83
82
35
34
33
32
31
30
29
28
27
26
1.05 m
W
16
17
2m
18
2.11 m
4
4
Remote Ctrl
4.22 m
T-11
8.43 m
Marine
16m
16.9 m
Marine
Aero
33.7 m
Marine
67.5 m
SOS
Marine
135 m
4.98 µeV
36
35
34
88
87
86
85
2.49 µeV
37
36
0.3GHz
1.25 µeV
623 neV
312 neV
156 neV
77.9 neV
International
38.9 neV
19.5 neV
120m Tropics
9.74 neV
37
19
39
38
90
89
38
T-12
T-7
60m
Tropics
1.28 GHz
42
41
40
93
92
91
638 MHz
39
319 MHz
20
160 MHz
5
05
79.8 MHz
39.9 MHz
20.0 MHz
9.98 MHz
4.99 MHz
2.49 MHz
43
94
Military
40
W
1100 1200 1300 1400 1500
270 m
4.87 neV
1.25 MHz
540 600 700 800 900 1000
540 m
EU&Asia AM
1.08 km
2.43 neV
Marine Radio
1.22 neV
623 kHz
312 kHz
Ground Wave Emergency Network
2.16 km
4.32 km
608 peV
304 peV
156 kHz
77.9 kHz
47.4 µeV
23.7 µeV
11.9 µeV
H
5.93 µeV
50
107
106
111
110
109
108
56
55
54
53
52
51
2.96 µeV
46
45
44
1.48 µeV
7
07
741 neV
87.7 92.1 96.1 100.1 104.1
370 neV
T-13
185 neV
13m
Marine
92.6 neV
Aero
46.3 neV
Aero
23.2 neV
11.6 neV
5.79 neV
2.89 neV
1.45 neV
724 peV
362 peV
40.75kHz
181 peV
21.4kHz
90.4 peV
22.3kHz
8.64 km
17.3 km
17.8kHz
152 peV
18.6kHz
76.1 peV
39.0 kHz
19.5 kHz
7.26 km
14.5 km
10.2kHz
45.2 peV
22.6 peV
11.3 peV
5.65 peV
2.83 peV
1.41 peV
707 feV
353 feV
177 feV
88.3 feV 22.6 Hz
34.5 km
69.1 km
138 km
276 km
C
553 km
1.11 Mm
2.21 Mm
4.42 Mm
S
γ (Gamma brain waves)
8.84 Mm
β (Mid Beta brain waves)
17.7 Mm
38.0 peV
19.0 peV
9.51 peV
4.75 peV
2.38 peV
1.19 peV
594 feV
297 feV
149 feV
18Hz
74.3 feV
9.74 kHz
4.87 kHz
2.44 kHz
1.22 kHz
609 Hz
304 Hz
152 Hz
76Hz
76.1 Hz
38.1 Hz
19.0 Hz
29.0 km
58.1 km
116 km
232 km
465 km
929 km
1.86 Mm
3.72 Mm
S
7.44 Mm
S
14.9 Mm
12.1 GHz
Microwave C-band (Compromise)
6.07 GHz
3.04 GHz
1.52 GHz
57
115
114
113
112
119
118
117
116
63
62
61
60
59
58
759 MHz
50
49
48
47
380 MHz
8
08
9
09
190 MHz
95
94.9 MHz
47.5 MHz
23.7 MHz
25m
11.9 MHz
5.93 MHz
Aeronautical
2.97 MHz
1.48 MHz
AM Radio
741 kHz
371 kHz
Open US
185 kHz
92.7 kHz
46.3 kHz
23.2 kHz
11.6 kHz
5.79 kHz
2.90 kHz
1.45 kHz
724 Hz
362 Hz
181 Hz
90.5 Hz
S
45.3 Hz
β (High Beta brain waves)
α (Alpha brain waves)
44.2 feV 11.3 Hz
θ (Theta brain waves)
22.1 feV 5.66 Hz
11.0 feV 2.83 Hz
5.52 feV
1.41 Hz
δ (Delta brain waves)
2.76 feV
1.38 feV
690 aeV
345 aeV
173 aeV
86.3 aeV
707 mHz
354 mHz
177 mHz
88.4 mHz
44.2 mHz
22.1 mHz
Frequency
35.4 Mm
70.7 Mm
141 Mm
283 Mm
566 Mm
1.13 Gm
2.26 Gm
4.53 Gm
9.05 Gm
37.1 feV
18.6 feV
9.28 feV
4.64 feV
2.32 feV
1.16 feV
580 aeV
290 aeV
145 aeV
1
∞
∞m
1
∞
Hz
eV
9.51 Hz
4.76 Hz
2.38 Hz
1.19 Hz
595 mHz
297 mHz
149 mHz
74.3 mHz
37.2 mHz
29.7 Mm
59.5 Mm
119 Mm
238 Mm
476 Mm
952 Mm
1.90 Gm
3.81 Gm
7.61 Gm
15.2 Gm
43.4 pm
86.8 pm
1.39 nm
2.78 nm
5.55 nm
11.1 nm
22.2 nm
44.4 nm
88.9 nm
1.42 µm
2.84 µm
5.69 µm
11.4 µm
22.7 µm
45.5 µm
91.0 µm
1.46 mm
100GHz
2.91 mm
5.82 mm
11.6 mm
12.5GHz
23.3 mm
46.6 mm
93.2 mm
186 mm
67
66
65
64
123
122
121
120
373 mm
52
51
745 mm
10
10
FM Radio
96
49m
1.53 km
3.05 km
6.11 km
24kHz
12.2 km
12kHz
24.4 km
48.8 km
97.7 km
1.56 Mm
3.13 Mm
6.25 Mm
12.5 Mm
25.0 Mm
50.0 Mm
100 Mm
200 Mm
400 Mm
800 Mm
1.60 Gm
3.20 Gm
6.40 Gm
12.8 Gm
Wavelength
Gamma Ray
174 pm
347 pm
694 pm
178 nm
355 nm
711 nm
182 µm
364 µm
728 µm
70
69
68
126
125
124
CP
54
53
11
11
1.49 m
2.98 m
6m Ham Radio
T-14
5.96 m
11.9 m
Marine
23.9 m
Marine
47.7 m
95.4 m
191 m
382 m
763 m
Europe and Asia AM
195 km
391 km
782 km
12Hz
3Hz
30.3 keV
15.1 keV
7.57 keV
3.78 keV
1.89 keV
946 eV
473 eV
237 eV
118 eV
59.1 eV
29.6 eV
14.8 eV
7.39 eV
340nm 320 315nm
UV-A
UV-A2
3.70 eV
1.85 eV
924 meV
462 meV
231 meV
115 meV
57.7 meV
28.9 meV
14.4 meV
7.22 meV
3.61 meV
1.80 meV
902 µeV
451 µeV
226 µeV
27.25GHz
113 µeV
56.4 µeV
28.2 µeV
14.1 µeV
7.05 µeV
71
127
Gov
129
128
55
130
3.52 µeV
56
135
134
133
132
131
Cell Phone
3
/
4
58
57
79
78
77
76
75
74
73
72
1.76 µeV
13
12
13
12
881 neV
107.9
97
441 neV
220 neV
11m
CB
T-10
110 neV
55.1 neV
Aero
27.5 neV
90m
13.8 neV
1600
X-Band
6.88 neV
3.44 neV
1.72 neV
860 peV
430 peV
215 peV
108 peV
53.8 peV
26.9 peV
13.4 peV
6.72 peV
3.36 peV
400Hz
Airplane Power
1.68 peV
840 feV
100Hz Lights
p=
420 feV
50Hz Power
v=
210 feV
105 feV
β (Low Beta brain waves)
52.5 feV
26.3 feV
13.1 feV
6.56 feV
3.28 feV
1.64 feV
821 aeV
0.1Hz
410 aeV
205 aeV
103 aeV
Energy
7.76 EHz
3.88 EHz
1.94 EHz
969 PHz
485 PHz
242 PHz
121 PHz
60.6 PHz
10nm
30.3 PHz
15.1 PHz
7.57 PHz
3.79 PHz
1.89 PHz
947 THz
R
473 THz
237 THz
118 THz
59.2 THz
29.6 THz
14.8 THz
7.40 THz
3.70 THz
1.85 THz
925 GHz
462 GHz
231 GHz
116 GHz
56GHz
57.8 GHz
Microwave Ka-band (Kurtz Above)
28.9 GHz
Microwave Ku-band (Kurtz Under)
14.4 GHz
7.22 GHz
3.61 GHz
CP
1.81 GHz
83
82
81
80
138
137
136
143
142
141
140
139
903 MHz
m Ham
60
59
63
62
61
451 MHz
1
m
/
1
4
24
23
226 MHz
98
113 MHz
2
2
56.4 MHz
10m Ham
28.2 MHz
22m
20m
T-8
14.1 MHz
40m Ham
7.05 MHz
Aero
3.53 MHz
Beacons
1.76 MHz
882 kHz
441 kHz
Navigational Beacons
220 kHz
110 kHz
55.1 kHz
27.6 kHz
13.6kHz
13.8 kHz
6.89 kHz
3.44 kHz
1.72 kHz
861 Hz
431 Hz
215 Hz
108 Hz
53.8 Hz
S
26.9 Hz
13.5 Hz
6.73 Hz
3.36 Hz
1.68 Hz
841 mHz
420 mHz
210 mHz
105 mHz
52.6 mHz
26.3 mHz
36.5 pm
73.0 pm
146 pm
292 pm
584 pm
1.17 nm
2.33 nm
4.67 nm
9.34 nm
18.7 nm
37.4 nm
74.7 nm
149 nm
UV-B
299 nm
VISIBLE SPECTRUM
598 nm
J
1.20 µm
2.39 µm
4.78 µm
9.56 µm
19.1 µm
38.3 µm
76.5 µm
153 µm
306 µm
612 µm
1.22 mm
2.45 mm
4.90 mm
9.79 mm
19.6 mm
39.2 mm
02
05
03
01
11
09
07
10
08
06
04
78.3 mm
CP
157 mm
154
153
152
151
150
149
148
147
146
145
144
313 mm
16
15
14
65
64
68
67
66
627 mm
Military
27
26
25
1.25 m
Aeronautical
99
2.51 m
5.01 m
10.0 m
19m
20.1 m
40.1 m
80m Ham Radio
80.2 m
160 Meters Ham Radio
160 m
321 m
Morse code
642 m
1.28 km
2.57 km
5.13 km
30.0kHz
10.3 km
14.7kHz
20.5 km
41.1 km
82.2 km
164 km
329 km
657 km
1.31 Mm
2.63 Mm
5.26 Mm
10.5 Mm
S
21.0 Mm
42.1 Mm
84.1 Mm
168 Mm
337 Mm
673 Mm
1.35 Gm
2.69 Gm
5.38 Gm
10.8 Gm
17
36.0 keV
18.0 keV
9.00 keV
4.50 keV
2.25 keV
1.13 keV
563 eV
281 eV
141 eV
70.3 eV
35.2 eV
17.6 eV
8.79 eV
280nm
4.39 eV
2.20 eV
1.10 eV
549 meV
275 meV
137 meV
68.7 meV
34.3 meV
17.2 meV
8.58 meV
4.29 meV
2.15 meV
1.07 meV
536 µeV
268 µeV
134 µeV
67.1 µeV
8GHz
33.5 µeV
12
13
4GHz
14
20
18
16
19
17
15
16.8 µeV
2GHz
8.38 µeV
1GHz
158
157
156
155
4.19 µeV
20
19
18
71
70
69
2.10 µeV
29
28
1.05 µeV
14
524 neV
3
3
262 neV
131 neV
65.5 neV
32.7 neV
16.4 neV
8.19 neV
4.09 neV
SOS
2.05 neV
Marine Radio
1.02 neV
512 peV
256 peV
128 peV
15.5kHz
64.0 peV
32.0 peV
16.0 peV
7.99 peV
4.00 peV
2.00 peV
999 feV
120Hz Lights
p=
500 feV
60Hz Power
v=
250 feV
30Hz
125 feV
15Hz
62.5 feV
31.2 feV
15.6 feV
7.81 feV
3.90 feV
1.95 feV
976 aeV
488 aeV
244 aeV
122 aeV
21
21
72
15
24
22
23
22
74
73
30
Marine
Marine
W
Beacons
S
9.22 EHz
4.61 EHz
2.31 EHz
1.15 EHz
576 PHz
288 PHz
144 PHz
72.1 PHz
36.0 PHz
18.0 PHz
9.01 PHz
4.50 PHz
2.25 PHz
1.13 PHz
V
563 THz
281 THz
141 THz
70.4 THz
35.2 THz
17.6 THz
8.80 THz
4.40 THz
2.20 THz
1.10 THz
550 GHz
275 GHz
137 GHz
68.7 GHz
34.4 GHz
17.2 GHz
8.59 GHz
4.29 GHz
2.15 GHz
1.07 GHz
24
23
76
75
537 MHz
31
268 MHz
134 MHz
67.1 MHz
33.6 MHz
16.8 MHz
8.39 MHz
4.19 MHz
2.10 MHz
1.05 MHz
524 kHz
262 kHz
131 kHz
65.5 kHz
32.8 kHz
16.4 kHz
8.19 kHz
4.10 kHz
2.05 kHz
1.02 kHz
512 Hz
256 Hz
128 Hz
64.0 Hz
32.0 Hz
16.0 Hz
8Hz
8.00 Hz
4.00 Hz
2.00 Hz
1.00 Hz
500 mHz
250 mHz
125 mHz
62.5 mHz
31.2 mHz
How to read this chart
• This chart is organized in octaves (frequency doubling/halving) starting at 1Hz and
going higher (2,4,8, etc) and lower (1/2, 1/4, etc). The octave is a natural way to
represent frequency.
• Frequency increases on the vertical scale in the upward direction.
• The horizontal bars wrap around from far right to far left as the frequency increases
upwards.
• There is no limit to either end of this chart, however, due to limited space only the
“known” items have been shown here. A frequency of 0Hz is the lowest possible
frequency but the method of depicting octaves used here does not allow for ever
reaching 0Hz, only approaching it. Also, by the definition of frequency (Cycles per
second), there is no such thing as negative frequency.
• Values on the chart have been labelled with the following colours:
sured in Hertz,
Wavelength measured in meters, Energy measured in electronVolts.
Ultraviolet Light
• Ultraviolet light is beyond the range of human vision.
• Physicists have divided ultraviolet light ranges into Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV), Ex-
treme Ultraviolet (EUV), Far Ultraviolet (FUV), Medium Ultraviolet (MUV), and
Near Ultraviolet (NUV).
• UV-A, UV-B and UV-C were introduced in the 1930’s by the Commission Internationale de l’´Eclairage (CIE, International Commission on Illumination) for photobiological spectral bands.
• Short-term UV-A exposure causes sun-tanning which helps to protect against sunburn. Exposure to UV-B is beneficial to humans by helping the skin produce vitamin
D. Excessive UV exposure causes skin damage. UV-C is harmful to humans but is
used as a germicide.
• The CIE originally divided UVA and UVB at 315nm, later some photo-dermatologists
divided it at 320nm.
• UVA is subdivided into UVA1 and UVA2 for DNA altering effects at 340nm.
• The sun produces a wide range of frequencies including all the ultraviolet light,
however, UVB is partially filtered by the ozone layer and UVC is totally filtered out
by the earth’s atmosphere.
• A bumblebee can see light in the UVA range which helps them identify certain
flowers.
Emission and Absorption
• As EMR passes through elements, certain wavelength bands get absorbed and some
new ones get emitted. This absorption and emission produces characteristic spectral
lines for each element which are useful in determining the makeup of distant stars.
These lines are used to prove the red-shift amount of distant stars.
• When a photon hits an atom it may be absorbed if the energy is just right. The
energy level of the electron is raised – essentially holding the radiation. A new photon
of specific wavelength is created when the energy is released. The jump in energy is
a discrete step and many possible levels of energy exist in an atom.
• Johann Balmer created this formula defining the photon emission wavelength (λ);
where m is the initial electron energy level and n is the final electron energy level:
λ = 364.56nm
³
m2− n
m
´
2
2
• Much of the interstellar matter is made of the simplest atom hydrogen. The hydrogen
visible-spectrum emission and absorption lines are shown below:
Emission line
Absorption line
Power
Frequency
H
α
White Hot
Red Hot
Hot
Balmer series name
• Max Planck determined the relationship between
the temperature of an object and its radiation profile; where Rλis the radiation power, λ is the
wavelength, T is the temperature:
CMB
Rλ=
λ5²
H
³
β
37418
14388
λT
− 1
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
• CMB radiation is the leftover heat from the hot early universe,
which last scattered about 400,000 years after the Big Bang.
• CMB permeates the entire universe at a temperature of 2.725
± 0.001K.
• CMB was predicted in the 1940’s by Ralph Alpher, George
Gamow and Robert Herman.
• Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson accidentally discovered CMB
while working for Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1965.
• The intensity is measured in Mega Jansky (Jy) per steradian.
1Jy = 10
−26
W/m2/Hz
Close examination of slight CMB intensity
variations in different parts of the sky help
cosmologists study the formation of galaxies.
WMAP photo by NASA
Intensity
400 MJy/sr
600 GHz
65 GHz
0 MJy/sr
Television
• Television is transmitted in the VHF and UHF ranges (30MHz - 3GHz).
• TV channels transmitted over the air are shown as
• TV channels transmitted through cable (CATV) are shown as
TV .
TV . CATV channels
starting with “T-” are channels fed back to the cable TV station (like news feeds).
• Air and cable TV stations are broadcast with the separate video, colour, and audio
frequency carriers grouped together in a channel band as follows:
6MHz
1.25MHz
3.58MHz
4.5MHz
Video Colour Audio
• Satellite channels broadcast in the C-Band are depicted as
TV . These stations are
broadcast in alternating polarities (Ex. Ch 1 is vertical and 2 is horizontal and visa
versa on neighbouring satellites).
• The 15.7 kHz horizontal sweep signal produced by a TV can be heard by some young
people. This common contaminant signal to VLF spectra listening is depicted as
.
Radio Bands
• The radio spectrum (ELF to EHF) is populated by many more items than can be
shown on this chart, only a small sampling of bands used around the world have
been shown.
• Communication using EMR is done using either:
– Amplitude Modulation (AM)
OR
– Frequency Modulation (FM)
• Each country has its own rules and regulations for allotting bands in this region.
For more information, look up the radio communications authority in your area (Ex.
FCC in the US, DOC in Canada).
• Not all references agree on the ULF band range, the HAARP range is used here.
• RAdio Detecting And Ranging (RADAR) uses EMR in the microwave range to detect
the distance and speed of objects.
• Citizens Band Radio (CB) contains 40 stations between 26.965-27.405MHz.
• Schumann resonance is produced in the cavity between the Earth and the ionosphere.
The resonant peaks are depicted as
• Hydrogen gas emits radio band EMR at 21cm
S
H
• Some individual frequencies are represented as icons:
xxHz
Submarine communications
Time and frequency standards
xxm
Ham radio and international meter bands
Miscellaneous short wave radio
W
Weather stations
CP
Cellular and PCS Phones (including; FDMA, TDMA, CDMA ranges)
Sound
• Although sound waves are not electromagnetic they are included on
this chart as a reference in frequency only. All other properties of
electromagnetic waves are different from sound waves.
Ultrasonic
• Sound waves are caused by an oscillating compression of molecules.
Sound cannot travel in a vacuum such as outer space.
• The speed of sound in air is 1240kph (770mph).
• Humans can only hear sound between ≈20Hz to ≈20kHz.
• Infrasound (below 20Hz) can be sensed by internal organs and touch.
Frequencies in the 0.2Hz range are often the cause of motion sickness.
• Bats can hear sound up to ≈50kHz.
• The 88 piano keys of the Equal Temperament scale are accurately
located on the frequency chart.
• Over the ages people have striven to divide the continuous audio frequency spectrum into individual musical notes that have harmonious
relationships. Microtonal musicians study various scales. One recent
count lists 4700 different musical scales.
• Middle C is depicted on the chart as
Speaker
C
This image depicts air
being compressed as
Human Audible range
sound waves in a tube
from a speaker and
then travelling through
the tube towards the
ear.
Ear
Gravity Waves
• Gravity is the mysterious force that holds large objects together and
binds our planets, stars and galaxies together. Many people have unsuccessfully theorized about the details of gravity and its relationship
to other forces. There have been no links between gravity waves and
electromagnetic radiation.
• Gravity is theorized to warp space and time. In fact, gravity is responsible for bending light as observed by the gravity-lens example of
distant galaxies.
• “Gravity waves” would appear as ripples in space-time formed by large
Subsonic - Infrasound
One Cycle
Per Second
objects moving through space that might possibly be detected in the
future by very sensitive instruments.
• The speed that gravity propagates through space has been theorized
to be the same as the speed of light.
Brain Waves
• By connecting electrodes from the human head to an electroencephalograph (EEG), it is possible to measure very small cyclic electrical signals.
• There has been much study on this topic, but like all effects on
humans, the science is not as exact as the science of materials.
• Generally, lower brain wave frequencies relate to sleep, and the higher
frequencies relate to alertness.
• Devices have been made for measuring and stimulating brain waves
to achieve a desired state.
c
° unihedron.com
2003-12-25
Frequency mea-
H
η
HγHδH
H
²
H
ζ
´
Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)
• EMR is emitted in discrete units called photons but has properties
of waves as seen by the images below. EMR can be created by the
oscillation or acceleration of electrical charge or magnetic field. EMR
travels through space at the speed of light (2.997 924 58 ×108m/s).
EMR consists of an oscillating electrical and magnetic field which are
at right angles to eachother and spaced at a particular wavelength.
There is some controversy about the phase relationship between the
electrical and magnetic fields of EMR, one of the theoretical representations is shown here:
+E
-B
+B
Source
-E
Space
Source
Space
E = Electric Field Strength
B = Magnetic Field Strength
Particle Nature
Wave Nature
• The particle nature of EMR is exhibited when a solar cell emits individual electrons when struck with very dim light.
• The wave nature of EMR is demonstrated by the famous double slit
experiment that shows cancelling and addition of waves.
• Much of the EMR properties are based on theories since we can only
see the effects of EMR and not the actual photon or wave itself.
• Albert Einstein theorized that the speed of light is the fastest that
anything can travel. So far he has not been proven wrong.
• EMR can have its wavelength changed if the source is receding or
approaching as in the red-shift example of distant galaxies and stars
that are moving away from us at very high speeds. The emitted
spectral light from these receding bodies appears more red than it
would be if the object was not moving away from us.
• We only have full electronic control over frequencies in the microwave
range and lower. Higher frequencies must be created by waiting for
the energy to be released from elements as photons. We can either
pump energy into the elements (ex. heating a rock with visible EMR
and letting it release infrared EMR) or let it naturally escape (ex.
uranium decay).
• We can only see the visible spectrum. All other bands of the spectrum
are depicted as hatched colours
.
Syst`eme International d’unit´es (SI Units)
Symbol Name Exp. Multiplier
10
24
1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
21
1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
18
1,000,000,000,000,000,000
15
1,000,000,000,000,000
12
1,000,000,000,000
9
1,000,000,000
6
1,000,000
3
1,000
0
1
−3
0.001
−6
0.000 001
−9
0.000 000 001
−12
0.000 000 000 001
−15
0.000 000 000 000 001
−18
0.000 000 000 000 000 001
−21
0.000 000 000 000 000 000 001
−24
0.000 000 000 000 000 000 000 001
Y yotta 10
Z zetta 10
E exa 10
P peta 10
T tera 10
G giga 10
M mega 10
k kilo 10
θ
m milli 10
µ micro 10
n nano 10
p pico 10
f femto 10
a atto 10
z zepto 10
y yocto 10
Measurements on this chart
Symbol Name Value
c Speed of Light 2.997 924 58 ×108m/s
h Planck’s Constant 6.626 1 ×10
¯h Planck’s Constant (freq) 1.054 592 ×10
−34
−34
J · s
J · s
f Frequency (cycles / second) Hz
λ Wavelength (meters) m
E Energy (Joules) J
Conversions
E = h · f
c
λ =
f
1˚A = 0.1nm
1nm = 10˚A
1Joule = 6.24 ×1018eV
Gamma Rays
• Gamma radiation is the highest energy radiation (up to ≈ 1020eV)
that has been measured. At this energy, the radiation could be from
gamma-rays, protons, electrons, or something else.
• Alpha, beta, and delta radiation are not electromagnetic but are actually parts of the atom being released from a radioactive atom. In
some cases this can cause gamma radiation. These are not to be
confused with brain waves of similar names.
Visible Spectrum
• The range of EMR visible to humans is also called “Light”. The
visible spectrum also closely resembles the range of EMR that filters
through our atmosphere from the sun.
• Other creatures see different ranges of visible light, for example
bumble-bees can see ultraviolet light and dogs have a different response to colours than do humans.
• The sky is blue because our atmosphere scatters light and the shorter
wavelength blue gets scattered the most. It appears that the entire
sky is illuminated by a blue light but in fact that light is scattered from
the sun. The longer wavelengths like red and orange move straight
through the atmosphere which makes the sun look like a bright white
ball containing all the colours of the visible spectrum.
• Interestingly, the visible spectrum covers approximately one octave.
• Astronomers use filters to capture specific wavelengths and reject
unwanted wavelengths, the major astronomical (visual) filter bands
are depicted as
X
Infrared Radiation
• Infrared radiation (IR) is sensed by humans as heat and is below the
range of human vision. Humans (and anything at room temperature)
are emitters of IR.
• IR remote control signals are invisible to the human eye but can be
detected by most camcorders.
• Night vision scopes/goggles use a special camera that senses IR and
converts the image to visible light. Some IR cameras employ an IR
lamp to help illuminate the view.
• IR LASERs are used for burning objects.
• A demonstration of IR is to hold a metal bowl in front of your face.
The IR emitted by your body will be reflected back using the parabolic
shape of the bowl and you will feel the heat.
LASER
• LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission
of Radiation.
• A LASER is a device that produces monochromatic EMR of high
intensity.
• With proper equipment, any EMR can be made to operate like a
LASER. For example, microwaves are used to create a MASER.
Polarization
• As a photon (light particle) travels through space, its axis of electrical
and magnetic fluctuations does not rotate. Therefore, each photon
has a fixed linear polarity of somewhere between 0◦to 360◦. Light
can also be circularly and elliptically polarized.
• Some crystals can cause the photon to rotate its polarization.
• Receivers that expect polarized photons will not accept photons that
are in other polarities. (ex. satellite dish receivers have horizontal
and vertical polarity positions).
• A polarized filter (like PolaroidTMsunglasses) can be used to demon-
strate polarized light. One filter will only let photons that have one
polarity through. Two overlapping filters at right angles will almost
totally block the light that exits, however, a third filter inserted between the first two at a 45◦angle will rotate the polarized light and
allow some light to come out the end of all three filters.
• Light that reflects off an electrical insulator becomes polarized. Conductive reflectors do not polarize light.
• Perhaps the most reliably polarized light is a rainbow.
• Moonlight is also slightly polarized. You can test this by viewing the
moonlight through a PolaroidTMsunglass lens, then rotate that lens,
the moonlight will dim and brighten slightly.
Refraction
• Refraction of EMR is dependent on wavelength as can be seen by the
prism example below.
By using a glass prism, white light
can be spread by refraction into a
spectrum of its composite colours.
All wavelengths of EMR can be refracted by using the proper materials.
Convex lenses make objects ap-
Focal point
Source
pear closer and are used to correct
far-sitedness.
Concave lenses make objects appear farther away and are used to
Source
correct near-sitedness.
Heavy objects like dense galaxies
and large planets cause light to
bend due to gravitational lensing.
Photo by STScI
Reflection
• Reflection of EMR is dependent on wavelength as demonstrated when
visible light and radio waves bounce off objects that X-Rays would
pass through. Microwaves, which have a large wavelength compared
to visible light, will bounce off metal mesh in a microwave oven
whereas visible light will pass through.
EMR of any wavelength can be re-
Source
θ
i
Reflector
θ
r
flected, however, the reflectivity of
a material depends on many factors including the wavelength of
the incident beam.
The angle of incidence (θi) and
angle of reflection (θr) are the
same.
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