Term: absorption cross-section, \(\sigma\) https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00038 Definition: Molar Napierian absorption coefficient divided by the Avogadro constant. When integrated against the logarithm of wavenumber (or frequency) it is called the integrated absorption cross-section. Related Terms: 1) absorption coefficient (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00037). 2) avogadro constant (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00543). Source: Green Book, 2nd ed., p. 32 (https://goldbook.iupac.org/files/pdf/green_book_2ed.pdf) Citation: 'absorption cross-section, \(\sigma\)' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00038 License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms. Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.