X-ray mass absorption coefficients (Cu-Kα)

When radiation traverses a layer of an element, it is diminished in intensity by a constant fraction per thickness x of that element. The emergent radiant power, P in terms of incident radiant power P₀, is given by

P = P₀ exp(-μ.x)

which defines μ, the total linear absorption coefficient. Since the reduction of intensity is determined by the quantity of mass traversed by the primary beam, the absorber thickness is best expressed on a mass basis, g/cm². The mass absorption coefficient, μ/ρ, expressed in units of cm² g^-1, where ρ is the density of the material, is approximately independent of the physical state of the material. [Ref. 1]

Units

cm² g^-1

Notes

This page gives links to graphical information for Cu-K_α.

You can look at visual representations of X-ray mass absorption coefficients using the following links.

• X-ray mass absorption coefficients
• X-ray mass absorption coefficients (Ag-Kα)
• X-ray mass absorption coefficients (Co-Kα)
• X-ray mass absorption coefficients (Cr-Kα)
• X-ray mass absorption coefficients (Cu-Kα)
• X-ray mass absorption coefficients (Fe-Kα)
• X-ray mass absorption coefficients (Mo-Kα)
• X-ray mass absorption coefficients (Ni-Kα)
• X-ray mass absorption coefficients (W-Lα)

Literature sources

1. G.W.C. Kaye and T.H. Laby in Tables of physical and chemical constants, Longman, London, UK, 15th edition, 1993.