Convert Square Inch (in²) to Electron Cross Section (σₑ) instantly.
About these units
Square Inch (in²)
A square inch represents the area of a one-inch by one-inch square. It is indispensable in engineering, manufacturing, machine design, and consumer product specifications. Mechanical components, gasket areas, electronic device screens, and pipe cross-sections are often measured in square inches. Because imperial units are deeply rooted in American manufacturing, the square inch enables precise communication among engineers and technicians. The unit remains important in pressure measurement as well—psi (pounds per square inch) combines force and area into one of the most widely recognized engineering units worldwide.
Electron Cross Section (σₑ)
The electron cross section, often denoted σₑ, is not a fixed unit but rather a physical area representing the effective interaction size of an electron in scattering experiments. It is typically expressed in barns or submultiples such as square femtometers (fm²). Electron cross sections are vital in quantum electrodynamics (QED), X-ray scattering, atomic physics, and materials science. These values describe how electrons interact with photons, atoms, or other electrons, determining phenomena such as absorption, conductivity, and radiation shielding. Because electron interactions are probabilistic, σₑ provides a statistical measure of likelihood rather than a physical surface, illustrating how area units are used conceptually at quantum scales.