Analyzing neutron and gamma ray shielding properties in varied W-B ₂ O ₃ ratios: methodological comparisons and Monte Carlo simulation

This study aims to comprehensively assess the radiation shielding efficacy of W-B2O3 composite material across varying ratios, contrasting its performance with glass and established literature data. The investigation involves comparing the radiation shielding capabilities of these materials using Geant4-based GATE simulation, XCOM, and EpiXS programs across energy levels ranging from 0.3–2.516 MeV. The research involved calculating and comparing the effective removal cross-section values of these materials with those commonly employed in neutron shielding. The findings indicate superior radiation shielding capabilities in the composite material compared to glass. Moreover, the mass attenuation coefficients were derived through GATE simulation at energy levels of 6 and 18 MV mono and spectrum energy. These values were then compared with theoretical methods; XCOM, XMuDat, and an innovative methodology outlined in the current literature. In the new approach, the effective atomic numbers of the materials were determined using the mass attenuation coefficients.