Ionizing radiation attenuation competences of gallium germanate-tellurite glasses utilizing MCNP5 simulation code and Phy-X/PSD program

Abstract

Gamma radiation, neutrons, protons, and alphas particles shielding competences for gallium germanate-tellurite (GeO2.TeO2.Ga2O3) glasses doped with Pr6O11 were tested. The investigated glasses were named as GTGPr1, GTGPr2, GTGPr3, and GTGPr4. Mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) for the proposed glasses were calculated utilizing Phy-X/PSD program and simulated by MCNP5 simulation codes in the photon energy range of 0.015–15 MeV. With the help of MAC values, the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), and effective atomic number (Zeff) were calculated. Moreover, the absorbed dose received from 137Cs with activity 10 μCi was calculated in presence of the studied glasses. Buildup factors (BUFs) include exposure buildup factor (EBF), and energy absorption buildup factor (EABF) for all investigated glasses were also calculated. Results reflected that the GTGPr4 glass has the highest MAC, LAC values and lowest HVL among other selected germanate glasses. The values of Zeff were around 0.04 MeV varied between 43.07 and 48.19, while at 1.5 MeV were between 18.70 and 21.25. The GTGPr1 possesses the highest values of BUFs around the studied range of energy, while GTGPr4 glasses possesses the lowest values. Moreover, the fast neutron removal cross section was (ΣR = 0.02151 and 0.01942 cm2 g−1) for GTGPr1 and GTGPr4, respectively. The investigated glasses can be useful to construct superior radiation shielding materials to use in nuclear medicine applications.