near-field

See also: nearfield and near field

English

Noun

near-field (plural near-fields)

1. Alternative form of near field (in physical acoustics)
2. Alternative form of near field (in radio-frequency electromagnetic technology)

Quotations

For quotations using this term, see Citations:near-field.

Adjective

near-field (not comparable)

1. In loudspeaker acoustics, referring to a region where the intensity of direct, unreflected sound from the source (such as a loudspeaker) is significantly dominant over any indirect or reflected sound.

Usage notes

The term has related, but not identical, meanings in various disciplines involving wave behaviour, particularly electromagnetic antennae and acoustics. In general it refers to differences between wave phenomena in regions close to the source, and in regions far from the source. Such differences are of profound importance in various fields of biology, technology, and fundamental research.