Definitions

1. noun

A measure of the spatial frequency of a wave, typically expressed in units of radians per meter.

“The wavenumber of the light emitted by the laser was calculated to be 10^7 cm^-1.”

2. noun

A quantity used in the mathematical description of wave phenomena, equal to 2π divided by the wavelength.

“The wavenumber of the sound wave was found to be proportional to its frequency.”