barn
/bɑːn/
Symbol: b
Unit system: Particle Physics
Unit system: Particle Physics
What is the barn?
The barn is a unit of area and is used in particle physics with the symbol b.
It represents approximately the area of the cross-section of a uraneum nucleus, so is very small compared to most other recognised units of area.
It is also used to measure the interaction of a nucleus with an electric field gradient in nuclear quadrupole and magnetic resonance.