gammafrequency

Gammafrequency is a term used to describe the frequency associated with gamma phenomena across disciplines, most notably physics and neuroscience. It is not a single standardized quantity, but rather a label applied in different contexts to refer to gamma-related frequencies.

In physics, gammafrequency commonly denotes the frequency of gamma rays, which are high-energy photons produced by nuclear transitions or certain radioactive processes. The frequency f of a gamma photon is given by f = E/h, where E is the photon energy and h is Planck’s constant. For gamma photons with energies roughly from 100 keV to several MeV, frequencies lie around 10^19 to 10^21 Hz. In this sense, gammafrequency is a descriptive term for very high-frequency electromagnetic radiation rather than a distinct variable.

In neuroscience, gamma frequency refers to neural oscillations in the gamma band, typically about 30 to 100 Hz, with some definitions extending into the 60–200 Hz range for high gamma. Gamma activity is associated with processes such as attention, feature binding, and working memory, and is thought to reflect synchronization among neuronal populations across brain regions.

Measurement and interpretation differ by domain. Physics uses spectroscopic methods or timing of photon emissions to determine gammafrequency, while neuroscience relies on electrophysiological signals measured by EEG, MEG, or intracranial recordings and analyzed for power, coherence, and phase relationships. Challenges in neuroscience include distinguishing genuine gamma activity from artifacts and filtering limitations.

See also: Gamma rays, Gamma band, Brain oscillation, EEG, MEG.