Particle energy after an elastic collision divided by the energy before the collision, in the laboratory frame of reference.
Note: The symbol
\(K\) is often used for the kinematic factor and might have a subscript added in ion-scattering spectrometry or
Rutherford backscattering spectrometry measurements, denoting the target atom as either, say,
\(K_{\ce{Si}}\) or
\(K_{28}\). The subscript for atomic mass is preferred, since the isotope is correctly identified.
Source:
PAC, 2020, 92, 1781. 'Glossary of methods and terms used in surface chemical analysis (IUPAC Recommendations 2020)' on page 1834 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0404)