Mass absorption (attenuation) coefficient

Input(s)

$\mathrm{N}$: Number of Atoms per Unit Volume $\left(\boldsymbol{m}^{-\mathbf{3}}\right)$

$\sigma$: Thin Cross Section Expressed in Barns per Atom (1 barn is $\mathbf{1 0}^{-\mathbf{2 8}} \boldsymbol{m}^{\mathbf{2}}$ ) ( $\boldsymbol{m}^{\mathbf{2}} /$ atom $)$

$\rho$: Density $\left(\mathrm{kg} / \mathrm{m}^{3}\right)$

Output(s)

$\boldsymbol{\alpha}_{\boldsymbol{l}}$: Linear Absorption Coefficient $(1 / \mathrm{m})$

$\boldsymbol{\alpha}_{\boldsymbol{m}}$: Mass Absorption Coefficient $\left(\mathrm{m}^{2} / \mathrm{kg}\right)$

Formula(s)

$$ \begin{gathered} \alpha_{l}=\sigma * N \\ \alpha_{\mathrm{m}}=\frac{\alpha_{1}}{\rho} \end{gathered} $$

Reference(s)

Bassiouni, Z., 1994, Theory, Measurement, and Interpretation of Well Logs. SPE Textbook Series Vol. 4. Chapter 2, Page: 33-34.