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Attenuation efficiency of a particle, customarily denoted by Qc [non-dimensional], is defined by the following equation:

 Qc = Cc / G  (1)

where Cc [length2] is the attenuation cross section of the particle, and G [length2] is the area of a geometrical cross section of the particle in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the incident light (i.e. the geometric particle shadow).

The attenuation efficiency may assume values greater than unity, i.e. a particle may absorb from the incident beam more light power that falls on its geometrical cross section (for example, Bohren and Huffman 1983). This conflicts with the traditionally accepted meaning of the term efficiency, implying that its maximum value is unity.

CITATION:
Jonasz M. 2006. Attenuation efficiency (www.tpdsci.com/Tpc/AtnCf.php). In: Top. Part. Disp. Sci. (www.tpdsci.com).
HISTORY:
Published: 17-Jan-2006
Modified: 16-Jun-2006
Peer-reviewed: 19-Feb-2007
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