The term characteristic length or scale refers, in general, to the parameter which
characterizes the density profile (of a given physical quantity). The static (equilibrium)
or dynamic character of a characteristic length must be specified. The terms out of
plane and in plane refer to characteristic lengths normal or parallel to the
interface, respectively. Since
interfacial layer '
thickness' and characteristic length correspond to various concepts, the current usage where
an out of plane characteristic length is referred to as the
interfacial layer thickness, is confusing and should be abandoned.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1667
(Thin films including layers: terminology in relation to their preparation and characterization
(IUPAC Recommendations 1994))
on page 1674
Cite as:
IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by
A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997).
XML on-line corrected version: http://goldbook.iupac.org (2006-) created by M. Nic,
J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.
in electrothermal atomization
