New transparent rare earth glasses for radiation protection applications

Abstract

In this paper, we have reported $65\hbox {B}_2\hbox {O}_3$–$12.5\hbox {TeO}_2$–$12.5\hbox {Bi}_2\hbox {O}_3$–$5\hbox {Na}_2\hbox {O}$–$5\hbox {NdCl}_3$ and $67\hbox {TeO}_2$–$20\hbox {WO}_3$–$10\hbox {Li}_2\hbox {O}$–$3\hbox {PrO}_{11}$ glasses to serve in radiation protection applications. Mass attenuation coefficient ($\mu /\rho$) of the proposed glasses was obtained in the photon energy range of 0.015–15 MeV using GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation. The simulation results were compared with those calculated by WinXCOM program. The correlation factor (${R}^2$) between the simulation and the theoretical values was found to be close to one referring to the high accuracy of the present results. Other essential radiation shielding parameters such as the effective atomic number (${Z}_\mathrm{eff}$), half-value layer, and neutron removal cross section ($\sum _R$) were calculated for the proposed glass samples. Additionally, G-P method was used to generate exposure buildup factor and energy absorption buildup factor for each proposed glass in the photon energy range of 0.015–15 MeV up to penetration path of 40 mfp. Radiation shielding competence of our glasses was compared with conventional shielding materials, other rare earth glasses, and newly developed HMO glasses. The results reveal that our proposed glass coded as TWLP shows promising shielding competence against both gamma rays and neutrons.