Simulating the γ-ray and neutron attenuation properties of lithium borate glasses doped barite: efficient and deterministic analysis using relevant simulation codes

Abstract

In the present paper, we report a comprehensive theoretical study dealing with γ -ray, fast and thermal neutrons shielding features of compositionally graded Pb-free lithium borate glasses doped barite: (B2O3)(0.6)(BaSO4)(x)(Li2O)(0.4-x). The study has been conducted for six particular values of the LiO2 fraction x namely x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 in mol%. This choice finds its origin with the circumstance of getting nontoxic glasses characterized by a strong X/β -ray absorption. WinXCOM program was used to determine mass attenuation coefficients μ/ρ by means of a photon energy ranging from 0.015 to 15 MeV. The obtained results are compared with those evaluated with Geant4, and Penelope codes. To illustrate the key physical parameters of all glasses, namely the effective electron density (Neff), γ -ray attenuation parameters like effective atomic number (Zeff), half-value layer (HVL), as well as the mean free path (MFP) and their corresponding potential functionality, we utilize the μ/ρ values of WinXCOM assessed within a range of photon energy varying from 0.015 to 15 MeV. We also investigate the impact of the exposure buildup factors (EBFs) as well as the energy absorption buildup factors (EABFs) by performing a geometric progression (G–P) fitting method as a function of varied penetration depths ranging from 1 to 40 mfp by step of 5 mfp. Additionally, the mass stopping power (MSP) and projected range (PR) have been estimated for alpha particles and triton particles using SRIM code within 0.01–1 MeV energy range. The results obtained herein reveal that the glass G20 is demonstrating its endorsement of a prime γ -ray shielding effectiveness among the rest of glasses. We also proven through our numerical simulations that the glass G00 possess the relatively larger macroscopic removal cross-section for fast neutrons attenuation as well as the significant thermal neutrons absorption cross-section, in addition to the fact it holds the highest mass stopping power (MSP) and lowest projected range (PR), suggesting thereby its superior neutronic, tritonic and alpha shielding abilities.