In
optics,
dispersion is the phenomenon in which the
phase velocity of a wave depends on its frequency. Media having this common property may be termed
dispersive media. Sometimes the term
chromatic dispersion is used for specificity. Although the term is used in the field of optics to describe
light and other
electromagnetic waves, dispersion in the same sense can apply to any sort of wave motion such as
acoustic dispersion in the case of sound and seismic waves, in
gravity waves (ocean waves), and for telecommunication signals propagating along
transmission lines (such as
coaxial cable) or
optical fiber.