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Calculating scatteing lengths for D2O
Calculating SLD values for D2O in a few steps:
- Open NIST tabular values
- Press on H and find the coherent scattering lenght (Coh b) for deuterium (D = 2H), i.e. 6.671 fm (fm = femtometer).
- Go back to the periodic table and find the coherent scattering lenght (Coh b) for oxygen (O). This time, use the value for O (5.803 fm), which is for the average mix of isotopes of O. In this case, Coh b for O is the same as for 16O, as O is on average 99.8% 16O (see the conc column).
- The coherent scattering lenght for D2O is the sum: b = 2$\cdot$6.671 fm + 5.803 fm = 19.145 fm.