What is the maximum frequency of electromagnetic waves?

What is the maximum frequency of electromagnetic waves?

The electromagnetic spectrum is theoretically infinite, and there is no strict upper limit on frequency. However, in practical terms, the highest frequencies encountered in natural and artificial electromagnetic waves are associated with extremely short wavelengths and high energy. The frequencies and corresponding parts of the electromagnetic spectrum include:

Radio Waves: Lowest frequencies, ranging from kilohertz (kHz) to gigahertz (GHz).

Microwaves: Frequencies typically in the GHz range.

Infrared: Frequencies ranging from hundreds of terahertz (THz) to several hundred THz.

Visible Light: Frequencies from around 430 THz (violet) to 750 THz (red).

Ultraviolet (UV): Frequencies from hundreds of THz to several petahertz (PHz).

X-rays: Frequencies in the exahertz (EHz) range.

Gamma Rays: Highest frequencies, typically above 1 EHz.

These frequencies are general categories, and the specific ranges can vary slightly in different contexts. The boundary between X-rays and gamma rays, for example, is somewhat arbitrary and may be defined based on certain physical characteristics.

In practice, the highest frequencies are often associated with phenomena like nuclear transitions and certain types of particle interactions. The study of such high-frequency electromagnetic waves is a part of fields like high-energy physics and astrophysics.