Tb3+-doped GeO2-B2O3–P2O5–ZnO magneto-optical glasses: Potential application as gamma-radiation absorbers

Abstract

Radiation interaction parameters are important for exploring the technological relevance of materials in radiation environments. In this research paper, gamma-ray shielding efficacy of GeO2+B2O3+P2O5+ZnO magneto-optical glasses doped with Tb3+ and coded as GBPZT1-6 for Tb3+ doping concentrations ranging from 20 to 45 mol%, with a 5-mol% increment was investigated using theoretical and Monte Carlo simulation methods. The PHITS code and the Phy-X/PSD software was used to compute the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) and other interaction quantities of the glasses for 0.015–15 MeV photons. Both methods' MAC data agree to within 2.90% of each other. At 0.015 MeV, the value of MAC is 59.9674 cm2/g, 64.1777 cm2/g, 67.6697 cm2/g, 70.6128 cm2/g, 73.1271 cm2/g and 75.2998 cm2/g for GBPZT1, GBPZT2, GBPZT3, GBPZT4, GBPZT5 and GBPZT6, respectively. The linear attenuation coefficients of the GBPZT glasses changed from 0.1340 to 247.5640 cm−1, 0.1490 to 286.8040 cm−1, 0.1650 to 326.6350 cm−1, 0.1790 to 365.7810 cm−1, 0.1990 to 413.9290 cm−1, and 0.2190 to 463.9450 cm−1 for GBPZT1, GBPZT2, GBPZT3, GBPZT4, GBPZT5, and GBPZT6. Comparatively, the photon attenuation abilities increase linearly as the density and Tb2O3 content of the glass system increased. Hence, GBPZT6 has the highest mass and linear attenuation coefficients, while GBPZT1 has the least. The BPZT glasses have better photon absorbing capacities compared to ordinary concrete and some other conventional shielding materials, thus making them attractive choice in radiation protection functions.