Gamma-ray Attenuation Research Articles

Phase Stability, Structural Properties, Electronegativity, Mechanical Properties, and Neutron and Gamma-Ray Attenuation Properties of Cantor High Entropy Alloys for Advanced Nuclear Applications

Phase Stability, Structural Properties, Electronegativity, Mechanical Properties, and Neutron and Gamma-Ray Attenuation Properties of Cantor High Entropy Alloys for Advanced Nuclear Applications

Three-phase flow measurement by dual-energy gamma ray technique and static-equivalent multi-phase flow simulator

There is a strong desire to use three-phase flowmeters in upstream operations because of their small size, portability, and cost-effectiveness. Traditional three-phase flowmeterstypically employ two main strategies: fully separating the flow into liquid and gas streams and measuring them using common two- and single-phase meters, or simplifying the direct measurement requirements by homogenization.In order to achieve accurate measurements with these meters, it is necessary to first create a suitable simulator for generating various multiphase flow regimes with minimal systematic error. Developing such a simulator on a laboratory scale, rather than using expensive test loops is a crucial and practical option.In this research, SEMPF as a Static-Equivalent Multi-Phase Flow with flexibility in creating different multi-phase flow regimes is introduced. In the following, the mechanism of action is validated for both homogenous two- and three-phase mixtures by using dual-energy gamma ray attenuation technique in the Monte Carlo simulator environment. Finally, the three-phase component fraction measurement accuracy by dual-energy gamma meter in three different modes of gasoil-, water-, and air-continuous mixtures were investigated. The experimental results show the maximum accuracy of 2.03 %, 7.23 %, and 5.09 % for gasoil phase measurement in three different conditions that the carrier phase is air, gasoil and water respectively.

Structural, elastic and gamma-ray attenuation properties of potassium borate glasses doped with BaO, Bi2O3, or Pb3O4: A comparative assessment

This study investigates the effect of substituting boron oxide (B2O3) with heavy metal oxides (HEMOs) on the structural, mechanical, and gamma-ray shielding properties of potassium borate (KB) glass systems. The glass compositions analyzed include 80B2O3–20K2O and 65B2O3–20K2O-15HEMO (where, HEMO = BaO, Bi2O3, or Pb3O4). All samples were prepared using the melt-quenching method, and their amorphous nature was confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) had revealed BO3, BO4, and BiO6 groups beside the B–O–B linkages. The density increased with the addition of HEMOs, following the order: Pb3O4 (KB4) > Bi2O3 (KB3) > BaO (KB2) > and pure KB (KB1). This trend was also observed in the molar volume (Vₘ) and oxygen molar volume (Vₒ), while the oxygen packing density (Pρ) decreased. Mechanical properties assessed using the Makishima-Mackenzie model indicated that KB3 exhibited the highest elastic modulus (Yₘ) and Poisson's ratio (μ). The microhardness (Hₘ) followed the sequence KB2 > KB3 > KB4 > KB1, attributed to the higher bonding energy in KB2. Gamma-ray shielding parameters, including mass attenuation coefficients (MAC), were calculated using Phy-X and XCOM software for photon energies between 0.2835 MeV and 1.333 MeV. KB4 (Pb3O4) showed superior shielding performance with the highest linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) and the lowest half-value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP). Despite KB4's high density, KB3 (Bi2O3) is suggested as a more suitable candidate for radiation shielding applications due to its balanced combination of mechanical strength and γ-ray attenuation efficiency.

Zinc boro-aluminosilicate glass for infrared and gamma sensing applications: Physical properties and gamma ray attenuation aspects

The demand for more materials for efficient shielding of radiation has been on the rise day by day due to some witnessed progress in applications of radiations in science and technology. In this research, we investigated the gamma ray shielding capacity of zinc boro-aluminosilicate (ZBASi) glass by varying concentrations of B2O3. Fundamentally, experimental and theoretical means were both adopted to evaluate photon shielding characteristics of the studied glasses. Additionally, amorphous nature and crystalline sizes of the glass sample were determined using XRD technique and Debye Scherrer equation respectively. The results show that as the B2O3 content increased from 55 to 70 wt %, the optical bandgap, and packing density decreased. However, the density, and molar volume were found to increase accordingly. Using Phy-x/PSD and genat4, the maximum values of mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) for ZBASi-4, ZBASi-3, ZBASi-2, and ZBASi-1 were found to be 20.2, 17.5, 16.3, and 9.6 cm2/g at 20 KeV, respectively. With respect to exposure rate, the exposure buildup factor (EBF) is low in the region where density is high, meaning that photon attenuation power is high in the region of low EFB (high density). The production of aluminosilicate glass poses fewer environmental risks than that of traditional lead-based shielding materials. It is therefore a more environmentally friendly option since harmful heavy metals are not involved.

Synthesis, physical, optical, and transmission properties of terbium oxide-reinforced quinary borate glasses for radiation protection

This study explores the synthesis and characterization of borate glasses doped with varying concentrations of Terbium oxide (Tb4O7). Using the conventional melt-quench method, we investigated the effects of Tb4O7 on the physical, optical, gamma-ray shielding, and mechanical properties of the glass samples. Our findings indicate a significant increase in density with higher Tb4O7 content, attributed to the high molecular weight and density of Tb4O7. Optical properties assessed through UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed increased absorption intensity, a red shift in the absorption edge, and a decrease in the optical band gap, demonstrating enhanced optical absorption and refractive indices. Gamma-ray shielding effectiveness, evaluated using mass attenuation coefficients, half-value layers, and mean free paths, showed superior performance with higher Tb4O7 concentrations. The effective atomic number also increased, enhancing gamma-ray attenuation capabilities. Additionally, the elastic modulus of the glasses improved with higher Tb4O7 content, providing better mechanical stability. Our findings indicate that the density increased from 3.52 g/cm³ for undoped samples to 3.92 g/cm³ for the glass containing 2 mol% Tb4O7. Optical absorption measurements revealed a red shift in the absorption edge from 345.46 nm to 369.54 nm, with a corresponding decrease in the optical band gap from 3.48 eV to 3.18 eV. Gamma-ray shielding performance improved significantly, with the mass attenuation coefficient (GMAC) rising from 0.115 cm2/g to 0.162 cm2/g, while the half-value layer (GHVL) decreased from 3.22 cm to 2.86 cm. Additionally, the elastic modulus increased by 11.58 % as Tb4O7 content increased. These results suggest that Tb4O7-doped borate glasses significantly improve density, optical absorption, gamma-ray shielding, and mechanical strength. Finally, Increasing Tb4O7 content in borate glasses substantially enhances their multifunctional properties, making them suitable for advanced radiation shielding applications.

Gamma radiation attenuation, mechanical properties and microstructure of barite-modified cement and geopolymer mortars

The present study contributes to the development of alternative materials for radiation shielding, focusing on environmental sustainability and material cost efficiency. The primary aim was to evaluate the compressive and flexural strength, mineral composition, microstructure, and gamma-ray attenuation properties of cement mortars and geopolymer mortars containing barite powder. Mortars based on ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and fly ash geopolymers with varying amounts of barite powder were assessed for their shielding properties at energy levels associated with the decay of 137Cs. From the results, key parameters such as the linear attenuation coefficient (μ), mass attenuation coefficient (μm), half-value layer (HVL), and tenth-value layer (TVL) were determined. The results showed that while cement-based composites exhibited superior gamma radiation attenuation compared to fly ash geopolymer mortars, the latter had higher mass attenuation efficiency, meaning less material density was required for the same level of shielding. Additionally, cement mortars had 23–25 % higher mechanical strength than geopolymer mortars. Importantly, the inclusion of barite powder improved the radiation shielding performance of both materials by 7–10 %, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing the protective properties of these mortars. This research highlights the potential of fly ash geopolymer mortars as viable, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cement mortars in radiation shielding applications.

Impact of nano Fe2O3 on radiation parameters of epoxy reinforced with nano carbon

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of iron oxide (Fe2O3) and carbon black in micro and nanoscales incorporated into an epoxy adhesive matrix for gamma-ray attenuation. The composites were prepared via a simple and cost-effective synthesis method. The grain size of powder NPs was measured using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and the particle size was about 20 ± 5 nm and 31.46 ± 2 nm for carbon and Fe2O3, respectively. The morphological properties were characterized by a scanning electron microscope, which indicated the excellent dispersion of NPs, which blocked almost all pores of the composite and increased the capability of radiation attenuation. In addition, the chemical composition of samples using energy dispersive X-rays (EDX) and the compressive strength were measured. Furthermore, the linear and mass attenuation coefficients were determined experimentally for incident photon energies of 59.51–1408.01 keV emitted from γ-ray sources using the sodium iodide scintillation detector NaI. A comparison was conducted between the experimental data and theoretical results that obtained from XCOM software, examined the validity of the experimental results. The relation deviation rate was found to vary between 0.0008 and 2.83%. Furthermore, the measurement of the relation deviation rate between the linear attenuation coefficients of micro and nano composites revealed a range of values between 1 and 25%. Also, shielding parameters such as half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), mean free path (MFP), and effective atomic number (Zeff) were measured. Moreover, the equivalent atomic number (Zeq), absorption, and exposure buildup factors for prepared samples were calculated. The results showed that the incorporation of Fe2O3 NPs enhanced the shielding capability of the composites, as evidenced by the significant reduction in gamma-ray transmission. The composite materials exhibited excellent mechanical strength, making them suitable for practical applications in radiation shielding. Furthermore, it was determined that the elevation in N-Fe2O3 concentration resulted in a direct increase in the linear attenuation coefficient, from 0.314 to 0.519 cm−1 at 0.5951 MeV and from 0.099 to 0.124 cm−1 at 0.662 MeV. Nevertheless, a slight increase was discerned in the identified mass attenuation coefficients at 0.1332 and 0.1408 MeV. The experimental data for MFP, HVL, and TVL demonstrate that the EFeC4 sample exhibits optimal performance, with values of 1.9, 1.3, and 4.4 cm at 0.5951 MeV, and at 0.661 MeV, the values are 8.04, 5.57, and 18.52 cm, while at 0.1408 MeV, the values are 12.06, 8.36, and 27.78 cm, respectively. Overall, this research highlights the potential of iron oxide-carbon/epoxy composites as efficient and reliable materials for gamma-ray protection in various fields, including nuclear power plants, medical facilities, and space exploration.

Tailoring optimal KERMA, projected range, and mass stopping power, and gamma-ray shielding capabilities through BaO/ZnO/CdO/SrO incorporation into Na2O–SiO2 glasses

This study explores the radiation shielding potential of Na2O–SiO2 glass matrices doped with BaO, ZnO, CdO, and SrO, analysed across a broad energy spectrum. The research employed various computational tools such as Phy-X/PSD and PAGEX codes to calculate various shielding parameters, including Kinetic Energy Released in Material (KERMA), mass stopping power, fast neutron, and gamma-ray attenuation properties. Among the glass samples, S3, with its BaO content, exhibited the most advantageous properties in terms of radiation attenuation. The results showed that S3 has the lowest Half Value Layer (HVL) of 0.032 cm at 0.015 MeV and the highest KERMA value, peaking at 0.3 MeV with 0.18 MeV/g. The mass stopping power values for alpha particles in the S3 sample showed a pronounced peak at 0.7 MeV, reaching 150 MeV cm2/g, indicating superior energy absorption. The S3 sample, composed of 20% Na2O, 20% BaO, and 60% SiO2, demonstrated the highest density (i.e., 3.225 g/cm³) and effective atomic number (i.e., 17.5), which contributed to its superior shielding performance. The study's findings show that the careful manipulation of glass composition, particularly through the incorporation of high-atomic-number oxides, can significantly enhance shielding effectiveness. It can be concluded that the S3 glass sample would be an optimal configuration for practical applications in radiation protection, where the Na2O–SiO2 glass matrices doped with BaO in terms of optimal material properties.

Effect of hybrid lead-PVA fibers on microstructure and radiation shielding properties of high-performance concrete

With the widespread application of nuclear technology in the medical and energy fields, the demand for efficient radiation shielding materials is increasing. Employing only lead or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber reinforcement cannot achieve improvements in the brittleness of high-performance concrete (HPC) while also enhancing radiation shielding efficiency and mechanical properties. This study develops a novel HPC for radiation attenuation, incorporating magnetite as the aggregate and reinforced with hybrid lead-PVA fibers (RSHPC). The synergistic effects of various proportions of hybrid lead-PVA fibers on the mechanical properties, three-dimensional microstructure, pore structure, and interfacial transition zone (ITZ) were investigated. In addition, the radiation attenuation capacities of RSHPC with different hybrid lead-PVA fiber proportions were evaluated through experimental and simulation analysis. The results show that hybrid lead-PVA fibers notably improve the air-void structure of RSHPC. The incorporation of PVA fibers, by improving the ITZ of matrix, effectively mitigates the negative impact of lead fibers on mechanical performance. The refinement of pore structure and the introduction of light and heavy nuclides lead to a significant enhancement in the gamma-ray and neutron radiation attenuation capabilities of RSHPC. Utilizing X-ray computed tomography (X-CT) for three-dimensional reconstruction further indicates the optimization impact of hybrid lead-PVA fibers on the microstructure, notably in the improvement of pore distribution and fiber dispersion, thus enhancing the overall properties and radiation attenuation performance of RSHPC.

Experimental and theoretical results of gamma shielding features for copper based shape memory alloys

In this study, the gamma ray attenuation characteristics for CuAlNi shape memory alloys with different proportions of Sn doping was investigated. We determined the mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ) of CuAlNiSn alloys both experimentally and theoretically within an energy range of 59.5–1332.5 keV. The experimental measurements were made using a high purity Germanium detector (HPGe) and theoretical calculations were made using WinXCOM program. To evaluate the gamma radiation shielding abilities of the alloy samples, the obtained (μ/ρ) values were used to determine the gamma protection parameters μ, HVL, TVL, MFP, and Zeff. In addition, the radiation protection efficiency (RPE) parameter was determined using gamma ray intensities in the absence and presence of the attenuator. Further analysis of the samples was conducted using a Rigaku Miniflex 600 model computer-controlled X-ray diffractometer (CuKα & λ = 1.5405 A0). The crystallographic structure of the alloys before and after irradiation was investigated. Other analysis which include EDX analysis (to investigate the chemical content) and SEM analysis (to investigate the microstructure) were conducted. According to result outcomes, gamma ray radiation did not affect the shape memory properties of structure. Another interesting observation is that, the radiation attenuation properties increase with increasing Sn concentration. Finally, we discovered that the CuAlNiSn4 alloy (which has the highest doping rate) provides good protection especially at low energy levels.

Study on the nuclear shield behaviors of basalt/carbon fibers reinforced PbO blended epoxy matrix composite – A novel material for thermal insulation applications

This study introduces a novel composite material engineered for thermal insulation, specifically in environments requiring radiation shielding. The composite is composed of basalt and carbon fibers reinforced varying with lead oxide (PbO) nanoparticles for five different composite laminates, all integrated into an epoxy matrix. The research primarily focuses on evaluating the composite's thermal insulation capabilities, gamma-ray attenuation effectiveness, and microstructural characteristics. Mechanical testing reveals that the incorporation of basalt and carbon fibers significantly enhances the composite's tensile strength and modulus. Thermal analysis demonstrates the composite's excellent insulation properties, attributed to the synergistic effects of the fibrous reinforcement and the epoxy matrix, which effectively reduce thermal conductivity. Gamma attenuation tests indicate a substantial improvement in radiation shielding effectiveness with the addition of lead oxide nanoparticles. The composite exhibits improved gamma-ray attenuation compared to conventional materials, due to the high atomic number of lead, which enhances photon absorption and scattering mechanisms.Microstructural analysis provides detailed insights into the composite's structure. Morphological images show a uniform dispersion of PbO nanoparticles and strong adhesion between the fibers and the matrix. Elemental analysis confirms the elemental composition, highlighting the successful integration of PbO nanoparticles, which significantly enhances radiation shielding.

Investigation on radiation shielding potentials of barium calcium aluminosilicate glass material using silicon carbide nanotubes reinforcement

This work investigated the gamma ray attenuation power of barium calcium aluminosilicate glass by using silicon carbide nanotube modifiers. Shielding efficiency of BaO–15CaO–5Al2O3–10B2O3–35SiO2 was investigated by adding different concentrations of silicon carbide nanotubes (10, 15, 20, 25 mol %). Amorphous and fine characteristics of the prepared glass materials were analyzed using XRD and FTIR techniques. In the results obtained, absence of sharp peaks in the XRD pattern revealed that the prepared glass was amorphous. Analysis of the radiation shielding properties was tested against gamma radiation by using PHY-X/PSD software. Various shielding parameters such as linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient, half value layer, tenth value layer, mean free path, and effective atomic number were determined to access the radiation shielding strength of the prepared samples. From the obtained results, composites of barium calcium aluminosilicate and silicon carbide nanotubes (sample 1) with higher values of mass attenuation coefficient (32.92 cm2/g) and effective atomic number (52.02) provided superior gamma ray attenuation. Results also revealed that the density and chemical composition of the prepared glass samples strongly influence photon interactions and weakly influence electronic interactions during the photon attenuation process. The results demonstrated that increasing the weight fractions of silicon carbide nanotubes in the glass samples increases the shielding properties.

Enhancing the radiation shielding performance of polyepoxide composites based on cement bypass dust

In this study, radiation shielding composite materials were created by combining epoxy with cement bypass dust (CBPD) at different weight percentages (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%). The solution casting technique was employed to construct these materials. The FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of the composites and the production of complexes. The morphology and elemental content of the produced composite samples were illustrated using SEM pictures and EDX spectra. In addition, the research findings demonstrated that the composites exhibited improved resistance to changes in temperature as the loading of CBPD increased. The gamma-ray attenuation coefficients of composites consisting of Epoxy + x% CBPD exhibited an increase, along with an increase in the neutron removal cross-section. However, there was a gradual increase in both the mean free path (MFP) as well as the half value layer (HVL) with increasing energy. Additionally, the experimental and theoretical data for attenuation parameters were compared using the Phy-X/PSD software. The relationship between the effective atomic and electron numbers of the Epoxy + x% CBPD composites has been studied. The values of fast and thermal neutron attenuation were analyzed using the NGCal software. In general, these composites are appropriate for use in radiation shielding applications.

Monte Carlo simulation analysis of radiation attenuation properties induced by arsenic accumulation in femur and tibia bones of rats exposed to sodium arsenite diet

PurposeThe study aims to investigate the effect of sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) on radiation permeability in biological tissues of rats, challenging existing literature claims about NaAsO2's influence on the density of bones. The motivation is determining whether exposure alters radiation permeability within a defined range of radiological energy. Should any changes be observed, radiation protection guidelines may necessitate the use of lower energy levels in imaging procedures involving such exposure. This consideration is vital for ensuring adherence to radiation safety standards, particularly in medical imaging, where minimizing patient and operator exposure to radiation is paramount. Materials and methodsIn this study, rats were divided into two groups: a control group and a NaAsO2-treated group. After the treatment period, these animals were euthanized to collect their femurs and tibias for further analysis. The elemental composition of these bones was then meticulously examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), enhanced by Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDX). Monte Carlo Simulation codes of MCNP6 and PHITS 3.22 were used for investigate photon induced interactions. These powerful tools allowed us to assess the gamma-ray attenuation properties of the collected samples. For an accurate comparison and analysis, we referred to the NIST database using the WinXCom program. Furthermore, the study explored the effects of charged particles on the bone samples, employing the SRIM code for this purpose. This part of the research was crucial to understanding the interactions at a more detailed level. We calculated the photon attenuation parameters for radiological energies up to 0.5 MeV and also investigated the interactions of charged particles with energies as high as 15 MeV. ResultsIn groups treated with NaAsO2, while there is less reduction in mass attenuation coefficients, larger differences have been observed in linear attenuation coefficients. Notably, a decrease in the linear attenuation coefficient has been observed in the NaAs Tibia group. ConclusionThe application of sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) results in a reduction in the Linear Attenuation Coefficient, necessitating a detailed investigation to determine whether this decrease also affects the Hounsfield unit, in accordance with the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle that guides radiation safety protocols.

A first-time fusion of TiNbWMoZrOx high entropy oxide (HEO) with zinc-tellurite glass: Toward superior physical properties

While numerous oxide additives have traditionally been employed to enhance the radiation shielding capabilities of glasses, the unique attributes of high-entropy oxides (HEOs), a group of materials acclaimed in contemporary material science for their distinctive properties have remained unexamined in this specific area. This novel study explores the enhancement of radiation shielding properties in zinc-tellurite glasses through the integration of TiNbWMoZrOx High Entropy Oxides (HEO). Utilizing advanced synthesis techniques, including mechanical alloying and oxidation, the research successfully incorporates HEOs into glass matrices, aiming to improve gamma-ray and neutron attenuation. Characterization through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the uniform distribution and structural integrity of the HEOs within the glasses. The synthesis of glass samples with a base structure suitable for the molar composition of 25ZnO.75TeO2 (mol%) and glass samples doped with TiNbWMoZrOx (HEO) was carried out using the traditional high-temperature melting and annealing method. The outcomes demonstrate a concentration-dependent increase in shielding efficacy, particularly highlighting the superior performance of glasses doped with 4 mol% of TiNbWMoZrOx (HEC2–4), which exhibit significantly enhanced mass attenuation coefficients, lower half-value layers, and higher effective atomic numbers. This indicates the effective role of HEOs in boosting radiation protection capabilities. Comparative analysis with traditional shielding materials showcases the HEC2–4 glasses' competitive advantage, underlining their potential as a versatile shielding solution. It can be concluded that incorporating TiNbWMoZrOx high entropy oxides into zinc-tellurite glasses significantly augments their radiation shielding properties, offering a novel approach for enhancing protection against gamma-ray and neutron in various applications.

Significant improvement in the gamma ray attenuation properties of bismuth tellurite glass using molybdenum oxide reinforcement

Due to the high demand for protective materials against ionizing radiations such as gamma rays, X-rays and charged particles, it is necessary to focus more attention on several ways to improve the efficiency of the already existing radiation shielding materials. In the present study, experimental and theoretical approaches were followed to investigate the gamma ray attenuation performance of the bismuth tellurite glass composed of molybdenum oxide. 20MoO3-xBi2O3-(80-x)TeO2 was prepared by melt-quenching process with various compositions of Bi2O3. Absence of sharp peak in the XRD spectra revealed the amorphous nature of the 20MoO3-xBi2O3-(80-x)TeO2. Densities of the prepared 20MoO3-xBi2O3-(80-x)TeO2 was found to vary directly with Bi2O3 content. Additionally, Zeff significantly improved as a result of increase in mol% of Bi2O3 from 10 mol% to 25 mol%. Lowest values of MFP was obtained with MoBiTe4 which has the highest density of 4.819 g/cm3, hence demonstrated better gamma ray attenuation than other three samples. The current study found Bi2O3 in the 20MoO3-xBi2O3-(80-x)TeO2 good for gamma ray attenuation in the lower energy range.

Tailoring the Magnetic, Structural and Shielding Characteristics of Nano Er2O3 via Ni Doping

We investigated the effects of Ni-doping amount on the structural, magnetic, and shielding properties of nano Er2O3. Nano Er2−xNixO3 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15) samples were fabricated by a pechini scheme and characterized via X-ray diffraction. Rietveld refinement was used to discover the distribution of cations on the two crystallographic sites. Cation ordering in the two nonequivalent sites of the structure and the variation of the oxygen bond lengths of octahedra with the composition x were also investigated. A consistent reduction in the average bond lengths of (Er/Ni)O6 octahedra around 8b and 24d as x progresses was observed. Average crystallite size reduced while average lattice micro-strain increased with increasing Ni doping. The correlation between magnetization and temperature for all samples under a magnetic field of 200 Oe was studied. Curie-Weiss law was applied to find the magnetic moments and the types of magnetic structure. The μ eff in the Er2−xNixO3 samples dropped from 9.7 to 9.36 μB as the nickel doping level rose from 0 to 0.15. Calculated magnetic moments, μ cal, were found to drop from 9.4 to 9.02 μB as the nickel doping level changed from x = 0 to x = 0.15 in Er2−xNixO3 samples. Curie paramagnetic temperature (θ) for all samples has been observed to rise from −10.6 to −19.34. The theoretical gamma-ray attenuation parameters for nano Er2−xNixO3 samples were acquired through the Phy-X/PSD software. The nano Er2−xNixO3 samples have been proven to possess remarkable magnetic and neutron shielding applications.

Impact of bismuth oxide on structural, optical and gamma-ray shielding properties of calcium-sodium-borate glasses.

In the present study, we have prepared six glass samples of bismuth borate using the melt-quenching method with the composition (70-x)B2O3-10CaO-20Na2O-xBi2O3; x=0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15mol%. The density of the prepared glasses was determined using Archimedes principle. The X-ray diffraction patterns provide confirmation of the amorphous nature of the prepared samples, whereas the Fourier transform infrared measurements pointed to the existence of structural units like BO3, BO4, BiO3 and BiO6 within the glass network. An assessment of the optical absorption spectra unveiled that with the increase in the bismuth oxide content, there was a decrease observed in both the direct and indirect band gap energies. Specifically, they decreased from 3.40 to 2.79eV and from 3.10 to 2.46eV, respectively. The properties related to gamma ray attenuation, including the mass attenuation coefficient (μm), effective atomic number (Zeff), half-value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP), were examined for all the glass samples. This investigation was carried out using the Phy-X/PSD software, covering the energy range from 0.511 to 1.332MeV. Out of all the samples, Bi-15, featuring the highest Bi2O3 content, demonstrated the highest μm, Zeff, the smallest HVL and MFP. These results suggest that the glass with 15mol% of Bi2O3 offers the most effective gamma radiation shielding performance. Moreover, the glasses examined in this study exhibit superior radiation shielding characteristics compared with specific concrete types, namely, ordinary concrete, Hematite serpentine concrete and barite concrete, as well as commercial glasses such as RS-360 and RS-253.

Study of a method for theoretical calculation of the efficiency of a LaBr3(Ce) for detecting gamma-rays from point sources

A theoretical model for calculating the full-energy peak efficiency of scintillator detector is proposed in this paper. The effective penetration distance of gamma-rays in Ø3.81cm × 3.81 cm LaBr3(Ce) crystal, aluminum shell and MgO reflector is analyzed. The calculation model for point source detection efficiency is derived, and the attenuation of gamma-rays in the detector shell is computed by theoretical calculation method. This method is used to calculate the efficiency of LaBr3(Ce) with a size of Ø3.81 × 3.81 cm for detecting gamma-rays from point sources of 137Cs and 60Co located in different positions. Compared with experimental data and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation results, the maximum relative deviation is less than 5%. The attenuation of gamma-rays with an energy of 60 keV is more than 50%. The fitted efficiency calibration curve in the energy range of 60 keV–1500 keV is in good agreement with the simulation results. The results show that this method is suitable for calculating the efficiency of the LaBr3(Ce) detector using point sources, especially for analyzing low-energy gamma ray sources. By taking into account the attenuation of the gamma-rays by the detector shell, the measurement accuracy can be effectively improved. The proposed method can be extended for the efficiency calibration of scintillator detectors with various shapes and provides a new approach for 'source-less' efficiency calibration of detectors.

A novel metering system consists of capacitance-based sensor, gamma-ray sensor and ANN for measuring volume fractions of three-phase homogeneous flows

ABSTRACT Measuring the volume fraction of different types of fluids with two or three phases is so vital. Among all available methods, two of them, capacitance-based and gamma-ray attenuation, are so popular and widely used. Moreover, nowadays, AI which stands for Artificial Intelligence can be seen almost in all areas, and the measuring section is no exception. In this paper, the main goal is to predict the volume fraction of a three-phase homogeneous fluid which contains water, oil, and gas materials. To opt for an optimised method, a combination of capacitance-based sensors, gamma-ray attenuation sensor and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) is utilised. To train the proposed metering system which is a MLP type, two inputs are considered. For the first input, the concave sensor is simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics software and different combinations of three phases (different volume fractions) are applied. Then through theoretical investigations of gamma-ray sensor, Barium-133 which radiates 0.356 MeV is used. This way, the second required input is generated. Finally, to implement a new and accurate metering system, a number of networks with different characteristics are run in the MATLAB software. The best structure had a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) equal to 0.33, 3.68 and 3.75 for the water, gas and oil phases, respectively. The accuracy of the presented metering system is illustrated by the received outcomes. The novelty of this study is proposing a new combined method that can measure a three-phase homogeneous fluid’s volume fractions containing water, gas and oil, precisely.