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Linear attenuation coefficient

From Online Dictionary of Crystallography

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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/cm3.

History

Coefficients for converting between these units are given by many authors [Cohen, E. R., 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