View source for Differential (scattering) cross section



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== differential (scattering) cross section ==
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<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">A specification of the angular distribution of the [[electromagnetic energy|electromagnetic  energy]] scattered by a [[particle]] or a [[scattering]] medium.</div><br/> <div class="paragraph">The differential (scattering) cross section is defined as the ratio of the [[intensity]] of [[radiant energy|radiant  energy]] scattered in a given direction to the incident [[irradiance]] and thus has [[dimensions]] of area  per unit solid angle. The symbol &sigma; is frequently used for [[scattering cross section]] and ''d''&sigma;/''d''&Omega;  for the differential cross section.</div><br/> </div>
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