wavenumber

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wavenumber
1. Spatial frequency (k); the number of complete wave cycles per unit distance, and the inverse of wavelength (λ), such that k = 1/λ.

2. Propagation constant; in electromagnetic theory, wavenumber is defined as 2π/λ, and k2 = μω(∈ω + iσ) for the time factor e−iωt, where μ is the magnetic permeability, ω the angular frequency in radians per second, ∈ the dielectric permittivity, and σ the electrical conductivity.

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