Wave Packet
A short localized burst or envelope of wave energy formed by the superposition of multiple waves with slightly different frequencies.
Governing formula
Δx Δk ≥ ½
SI unit
m
In depth
Wave packets represent localized physical particles in quantum mechanics (de Broglie wave packets). Spread in spatial position Δx and wavenumber Δk are bound by Fourier transform limits.
Examples in the real world
A short radar pulse or a quantum particle wave packet.