Analysis of attenuation coefficients of B2O3-Bi2O3-BaO-PbO2-Eu2O3 glass system using gamma sources: experimental study

The purpose of this work is to investigate the gamma radiation shielding capabilities of glass samples composed of B2O3-Bi2O3-BaO-PbO2-Eu2O3. For determining the radiation shielding properties, theoretical calculations were performed with the assistance of specialised software (Phy-X/PSD). The gamma-ray energy that were released by certain radiation sources (137Cs and 60Co) were captured by a semiconductor detector system during the experimental measurements that were carried out. These energies were measured at 0.662, 1.173, and 1.332 MeV. A narrow beam geometry was created with the use of a collimator to improve the precision of the results. The results of the experimental linear attenuation coefficient (GLAC) enabled the determination of half and tenth layer thickness values (GHVL and GTVL), as well as the mean free path (GMFP). These data indicate a rise in GLAC values with an increasing PbO2 ratio in glasses; nevertheless, they demonstrate a reduction with growing photon energy. The measured GLAC values ranged from 0.413 to 0.480 cm− 1 at 662 keV and 0.246 to 0.303 cm− 1 at 1333 keV, and increased with PbO2 content, with BiEu4 showing the highest attenuation efficiency due to its higher density (5.03 g.cm− 3). In contrast, GMFP, GHVL, GTVL, and dPb values rise with rising energy levels, whereas they decrease with elevated PbO2 ratios in the produced glasses. The comparison of gamma radiation shielding characteristics, both experimental and theoretical, reveals a consistent connection, confirming their trustworthiness and alignment.