Re: Mass Energy Absorption Coefficient

[Craig Harmon <charmon@skid.ps.uci.edu>]

On Thu, 3 Aug 1995, Alex Zapantis wrote:

> A quick test for all you nuclear interaction gurus out there (because I am
> unsure of the answer !!)
> 
> Define mass energy absorption coefficient.

It is usually used to describe the intensity loss a beam (either photon 
or particle) suffers as it traverses a medium.  The beam (say photon) can 
lose energy through inelastic scattering where energy is tranfered to the 
medium.  So the photons need not necessarily be completely "absorbed", 
just transfer energy to the medium which then "absorbs" that energy. 
So an absorption cooefficient is the measure of energy transfered to the 
medium through inelastic collisions.  I've never heard it termed 'mass 
energy aborption coefficient' by the way.  Just absorption coefficient.

> Does this include only photoelectric interactions?? > 

No, it is the sum of all the inelastic collisions the photon/particle 
is likely (energetic enough) to experience.

Regards,

Craig
charmon@skid.ps.uci.edu