1. (in spectroscopy) The molar absorption coefficient (symbol ϵ) is a quantity that characterizes the absorption of light (or any other type of electromagnetic radiation) as it passes through a sample of the absorbing material. It has the dimensions of 1/(concentration × length). ϵ is dependent on the frequency of the incident light; its highest value occurs where the absorption is most intense. Since absorption bands usually spread over a range of values of the frequency ν it is useful to define a quantity called the integrated absorption coefficient, A, which is the integral of all the absorption coefficients in the band, i.e. A = ∫ϵ(ν)dν. This quantity characterizes the intensity of a transition. It was formerly called the extinction coefficient. See also Beer–Lambert law.
2. The volume of a given gas, measured at standard temperature and pressure, that will dissolve in unit volume of a given liquid.