Influence of Sm2O3 content on photon and fast neutron interaction parameters of zinc-tellurite glasses

Abstract

The aim of the present research is to evaluate and analyze the photon and fast neutron interaction parameters for (80-x)TeO2–20ZnO–xSm2O3 (0≤ x ≤ 1.5) glasses via WinXCom and EXABCal programs. This is with the view to establish their suitability for radiation shielding purposes. The mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) due to photoelectric absorption (PA) and Compton scattering (CS) constitute about 36–24% and 56–73% of MAC values correspondingly in the range 0.284 ≤ E ≤ 0.511 MeV. The impact of PA process is higher in this (low) energy portion of the spectrum. As energy rose from 0.511 to 1.33 MeV, PA contribution reduces from 24 to 3% while CS contribution rose from 73 to 98%. The (MAC)TZS0, (MAC)TZS1, (MAC)TZS2, (MAC)TZS3, (MAC)TZS4, and (MAC)TZS5 varies within the range 0.1619–0.0497, 0.1624–0.04976, 0.1629–0.0498, 0.1634–0.0498, 0.1639–0.0498, and 0.1644–0.0498 cm2/g respectively. HVL of the glasses varies from 0.77 to 2.50 cm for energies in the range 0.284–1.33 MeV with very close proximity of values for all the glasses. For glass thickness up to 2 cm, the exposure buildup factor value decreases with energy, beyond this; it initially increases up to a maximum at energy of 0.511 MeV for TZS4 and TZS5 and 0.3839 MeV for TZS3. The fast neutron removal cross sections of the glasses were very close, however, the maximum value was obtained for TZS4. Finally, the understudied glasses displayed superior fast neutron and photon absorbers compared to some common shielding materials which make these glasses potential for radiation shielding functions.