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Difference between revisions of "Linear attenuation coefficient"

From Online Dictionary of Crystallography

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== Definition ==
 
== Definition ==
  
The linear attenuation coefficient <math>\mu(E)</math>, or preferably <math>\mu_{TOT}(E)</math> in cm<sup>-1</sup>, is a measure of the photon beam attenuation by a material due to absorption and scattering processes and hence differs from the [[absorption coefficient]], which is a measure of beam attenuation due to absorption processes only.
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The linear attenuation coefficient <math>\mu(E)</math>, or preferably <math>\mu_{TOT}(E)</math> in cm<sup>&minus;1</sup>, is a measure of the photon beam attenuation by a material due to absorption and scattering processes and hence differs from the [[absorption coefficient]], which is a measure of beam attenuation due to absorption processes only.
  
 
<math>\mu_{TOT}(E)</math> is given by
 
<math>\mu_{TOT}(E)</math> is given by
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<math>\mu_{tot} = \Big[{\mu\over\rho}\Big]_{TOT}\rho</math>
 
<math>\mu_{tot} = \Big[{\mu\over\rho}\Big]_{TOT}\rho</math>
  
where <math>\rho</math> is the density of the material in g/cm<sup>3</sup>.
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where <math>\rho</math> is the density of the material in g cm<sup>&minus;3</sup>.
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==

Revision as of 09:04, 20 May 2017

Definition

The linear attenuation coefficient [math]\mu(E)[/math], or preferably [math]\mu_{TOT}(E)[/math] in cm−1, is a measure of the photon beam attenuation by a material due to absorption and scattering processes and hence differs from the absorption coefficient, which is a measure of beam attenuation due to absorption processes only.

[math]\mu_{TOT}(E)[/math] is given by

[math]\mu_{tot} = \Big[{\mu\over\rho}\Big]_{TOT}\rho[/math]

where [math]\rho[/math] is the density of the material in g cm−3.

History

Coefficients for converting between these units are given by many authors [Cohen, E. R. and Taylor, B. N. (1987). Rev. Mod. Phys. 59, 1121-1148; Creagh, D. C. and McAuley, W. J. (1992). International Tables for Crystallography, Volume C, ed. A. J. C. Wilson, Dordrecht: Kluwer; Chantler, C. T. (1995). J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data 24, 71-643].

See also