Radiation shielding properties of Silicon boron alloys

Abstract

The current study focuses on the shielding properties of selected Silicon-Boron alloys like of various compositions. Lower value of mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half value thickness (HVL), tenth value thickness (TVL), penetration depth, electron density (Ne), effective atomic number (Zeff) and higher lead equivalent thickness, Radiation Protection Efficiency (RPE) and KERMA value which are essential characteristics of a good absorber for Si0.95B0.05. From these observations, it is clear that the silicon boron alloy Si0.95B0.05 is found to have larger value of mass attenuation coefficient, effective atomic number, radiation protection efficiency and KERMA, however, HVL, TVL and penetration found to be small. Furthermore, the EMI shielding parameter (total shielding effectiveness) was also found to be larger for the silicon boron alloy Si0.95B0.05 in near infrared, mid infrared, far infrared, ultra-high frequency (UHF), very high frequency, high frequency radio waves, middle frequency radio waves, low frequency radio waves and very low frequency radio waves. Neutron scattering lengths and cross-sections for the above alloys are also studied. This is identified as a good characteristic of X-ray/gamma absorber radiation, neutron shielding and EMI radiations. Thus, the Si-B alloy, Si0.95B0.05 may be used for X-ray/gamma radiation shielding.