Editing Attenuation (section)

=== Applications ===
In [[optical fiber]]s, attenuation is the rate at which the signal light decreases in intensity. For this reason, glass fiber (which has a low attenuation) is used for long-distance fiber optic cables; plastic fiber has a higher attenuation and, hence, shorter range. There also exist [[optical attenuator]]s that decrease the signal in a fiber optic cable intentionally.

Attenuation of light is also important in [[physical oceanography]]. This same effect is an important consideration in [[weather radar#Attenuation|weather radar]], as raindrops absorb a part of the emitted beam that is more or less significant, depending on the wavelength used.

Due to the damaging effects of high-energy photons, it is necessary to know how much energy is deposited in tissue during diagnostic treatments involving such radiation. In addition, gamma radiation is used in [[cancer treatments]] where it is important to know how much energy will be deposited in healthy and in tumorous tissue.

In [[computer graphics]] attenuation defines the local or global influence of light sources and force fields.