Depth of penetration

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-003037",
  "term": "Depth of penetration",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The distance into a material at which the intensity of incident radiation has decreased to a specific fraction of its initial value. This concept is relevant in spectroscopy and photochemistry, where light absorption by a sample is measured. For a monochromatic beam, the depth of penetration is inversely proportional to the absorption coefficient of the material at that wavelength.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "absorbance",
    "absorption coefficient",
    "attenuance",
    "radiant power"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1996, 68, 2223. 'Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 2235 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668122223)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/depth-of-penetration/"
}