Nuclear Cross Section Calculator
Calculate nuclear cross sections and particle beam attenuation
Target Nucleus
Incident Particle (Optional)
Target Material (Optional)
About Nuclear Cross Sections
The nuclear cross section quantifies the probability of a nuclear reaction occurring. It has dimensions of area, typically measured in barns (1 b = 10⁻²⁴ cm²).
Key Formulas:
- R = r₀ × A^(1/3) where r₀ ≈ 1.2 fm
- σgeom = π × R²
- I/I₀ = exp(-nσx) (attenuation)
- λ = 1/(nσ) (mean free path)
Cross Section Units:
- 1 barn (b) = 10⁻²⁸ m² = 10⁻²⁴ cm²
- 1 millibarn (mb) = 10⁻³ b
- 1 microbarn (μb) = 10⁻⁶ b