Gamma–ray shielding capability of CoFeTaB amorphous solids using Monte Carlo simulations and Phy–X/PSD software

Abstract

Investigations on metallic glasses have increased significantly due to their obvious qualities such as high glass–forming ability, corrosion resistance, and chemical, mechanical, and magnetic properties. By considering the importance of Cobalt– and Iron–based metallic glasses with various Tantalum concentrations, a Monte Carlo simulation (Geant4 code) and Phy–X/PSD software were used to investigate their gamma–ray attenuation properties, such as mass attenuation coefficient, effective atomic number, and half–value layer for different photon energy ranges. The mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) was calculated numerically using the Phy–X/PSD software between 0.015 and 15 MeV, and the results were compared to Monte Carlo simulations. The mass attenuation coefficients of the alloys were ranged between 108.6 and 94.3 cm2/g for lowest the photon energy, while reduced to 0.0458 cm2/g at the high energy region. These results showed that the radiation protection effectiveness values may be correlated with the alloys’ magnetization. The obtained results revealed that Tantalum density and larger atomic numbers are the most important factors in improving the radiation attenuation capabilities and then the shielding performance of the investigated glassy alloys.