depth of penetration

of light
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.D01605
The inverse of the absorption coefficient. If the decadic absorption coefficient, a, is used, the depth of penetration (1a) is the distance at which the radiant power, Pλ, decreases to one tenth of its incident value, Pλ0. If the Naperian absorption coefficient, α, is used, the depth of penetration (1α=β in this case) is the distance at which the radiant power decreases to 1e of its incident value.
See: absorbance, attenuance
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 2223. (Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 2235 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'depth of penetration' 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.D01605 RIS BibTex EndNote
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Last revised: February 24, 2014