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Photonics Dictionary

attenuation

Attenuation refers to the gradual loss or reduction of intensity, force, or magnitude of a particular property as it propagates through a medium or travels over a distance. This concept is prevalent in various fields, including physics, electronics, optics, acoustics, and telecommunications.

Physics and waves: In the context of waves, such as light, sound, or electromagnetic waves, attenuation represents the decrease in amplitude or energy of the wave as it travels through a medium. This reduction in intensity can occur due to factors like absorption, scattering, or divergence.

Medical imaging: In medical imaging, attenuation plays a role in the reduction of the intensity of x-rays or other imaging modalities as they pass through the human body. Different tissues attenuate x-rays to varying degrees, contributing to the creation of images in techniques such as computed tomography (CT) scans.

Radio frequency and microwave engineering: Attenuation is a significant factor in the transmission of RF and microwave signals. It can be caused by factors such as free-space path loss, atmospheric absorption, and the characteristics of the transmission medium.

Attenuation is often quantified as a dimensionless ratio, expressed in decibels (dB), or as a percentage. Understanding and managing attenuation are essential in designing and optimizing systems where the transmission of signals or energy is a critical factor.

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