= Nuclear neutron scattering length
{title2=$b$}
The <nuclear neutron scattering length> is the effective <length> coefficient for low-<energy> nuclear <scattering amplitude>. For the elementary coherent calculation below, use a bound coherent coefficient $b_j$ for each site, and neglect absorption so that $b_j$ is real. This coefficient describes the <atomic nucleus>, including its <isotope> and <nuclear spin> dependence; it is not proportional to <atomic number>. Replacing nuclear coefficients by electronic <magnetic moments> would describe a different scattering channel, with additional direction and spatial-distribution factors, as explained in <magnetic neutron diffraction>.
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