Dispersion relation Definition and 65 Threads

In the physical sciences and electrical engineering, dispersion relations describe the effect of dispersion on the properties of waves in a medium. A dispersion relation relates the wavelength or wavenumber of a wave to its frequency. Given the dispersion relation, one can calculate the phase velocity and group velocity of waves in the medium, as a function of frequency. In addition to the geometry-dependent and material-dependent dispersion relations, the overarching Kramers–Kronig relations describe the frequency dependence of wave propagation and attenuation.
Dispersion may be caused either by geometric boundary conditions (waveguides, shallow water) or by interaction of the waves with the transmitting medium. Elementary particles, considered as matter waves, have a nontrivial dispersion relation even in the absence of geometric constraints and other media.
In the presence of dispersion, wave velocity is no longer uniquely defined, giving rise to the distinction of phase velocity and group velocity.

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  1. D

    The dispersion relation of waves between two layers of varying density

    Homework Statement Show that c^2 = g/k*(rho1 - rho2)/ (rho1 + rho2) where rho1 and rho 2 are the different densities, k is the constant from solving the PDE (separation of variables). Homework Equations Use the fact that phi(1) --> 0 as y --> neg. infinity and phi(2) --> 0 as y -->...
  2. S

    Find dispersion relation using periodicity

    Ok so here's another problem that i just completely don't understand at all. Thanks for your help. A linear chain consists of 2N equally spaced identical particles with mass m and speration a, coupled by springs with alternating constands k1 and k2. Use the periodicity of the system to find...
  3. E

    Experimental dispersion relation of phonons

    Hi guys, I don't understand how one would exactly determine a dispersion relation of phonons experimentally. There are two equations, one for momentum and one for energy conservation: \vec{k} - \vec{k^{'}} = \vec{G} + \vec{K} \omega - \omega ^{'} = \omega(K) where...
  4. S

    Dispersion Relation of a De Broglie Wave

    Homework Statement Use the dispersion relation to find the group velocity v_group and phase velocity v_phase. Homework Equations omega(k) = [(hbar)k^2]/2m The Attempt at a Solution v_group = domega(k)/dk = [hbar]k/m = h/m lambda = p/m = v This isn't right. v_phase = omega...
  5. Y

    3d rossby wave frequency dispersion relation

    Homework Statement Consider the linearized, quasi-geostrophic vorticity equation on the beta-plane, with a mean background flow umean , which allows for vertical structure and propagation of Rossby waves: (d/dt+umean*d/dx)=(nabla2 ψ+(f02/N2)*(d2 ψ/dz2)+bv where ψ is the horizontal...
  6. Y

    Dispersion Relation: What is it for Photons?

    What is the dispersion relation in photons? "(Frequency momentum or etc)
  7. L

    Dispersion Relation and wavelength

    I've been working on problems trying to find the dispersion relation of monatomic and diatomic chains. I'm able to find the dispersion relation, but I don't really understand what it is. I'm pretty sure that it's the relation of the frequency to the wave vector. I'm working through Kittel's...
  8. X

    One dimensional lattice dispersion relation

    I'm doing an experiment, in which I have a one dimensional lattice held up by strings. That is I have a series of n masses each of mass M each connected to each other by springs with spring constant C and unstretched length a. Each mass is suspended from the ceiling by a string of length L. I'm...
  9. E

    Calculating Group Velocity of Schrodinger Waves: Dispersion Relation

    The group velocity of traveling wave is defined as v_g =\partial \omega/\partial k. I am confused about how to actually calculate this. For instance, in the Schrodinger equation, we find that plane waves solve the equation provided that \omega = k^2 \hbar/2m Does this mean that the group...
  10. H

    Dispersion Relation KdV equation

    Hi all. I have some questions about the dispersion relation in the study of waves. First of all, why do we always assume a plane wave solution when we want to obtain a dispersion relation? Second, is "assuming a plane wave solution" a general way to obtian all dispersion relations? for both...
  11. A

    Dispersion relation diagrams, phonons

    In dispersion relation diagrams, where omega is plotted against k, omega is sometimes nonzero at k=0. How is this possible? I thought a wave had to have a nonzero wavenumber :confused:
  12. B

    MATLAB Dispersion relation with Matlab

    I'm studying the phenemenon of band gaps in a experiment, however the stop bands are proving hard to define using just a transmission spectrum dervived from the fft alogrithm. I've heard that it may be possible to define the band region by plotting the dispersion relation of sound waves the...
  13. G

    Dispersion relation for light in vaccuum

    Hello, I was wondering if someone more knowledgeable in loop-quantum gravity or string theory could discuss a bit about the following topic for me: If there is a lower size limit (or length itself is quantized), does this (or can this) mean that there would be a dispersion relation for light...
  14. Q

    Dispersion Relations: Confusing Me & What Information is Gained?

    Dispersion relations have the tendency to confuse me. In general, I know what dispersion is, but trying to apply it to crystals, I just "can't see the forest among all those trees". :rolleyes: In phonon dispersion, acoustical and optical phonons have quite a different dispersion behaviour...
  15. J

    Explaining Dispersion Relation for Free Electron - Jayse

    Hi, please could someone explain the term dispersion relation to me, particularly for the case of a free electron? Thanks Jayse
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