Nuclear shielding characteristics of Sm3+ doped borosilicate glasses containing Na2O, PbO and ZnO

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the photon, charged particles, fast and thermal neutrons absorption characteristics and dose rates of Sm3+ doped borosilicate glasses containing Na2O-PbO-ZnO via theoretical method and simulation code. The linear attenuation coefficients of SBNPZS4 glasses are the highest whereas the mass attenuation coefficients of SBNPZS1 glasses are the highest in the present SBNPZS glasses. The SBNPZS4 has the lowest half value layer and mean free path values among the SBNPZS glasses and compared standard shielding materials therefore SBNPZS4 has the better photon absorption characteristics. The effective atomic number, effective electron density, mass energy-absorption coefficient, specific gamma ray constant, and gamma dose rate values change as SBNPZS4<SBNPZS3<SBNPZS2<SBNPZS1. The ranges of SBNPZS glasses for charged particles modify as SBNPZS4<SBNPZS3<SBNPZS2<SBNPZS1. Both fast neutron removal cross section and total cross section for thermal neutron vary in order of SBNPZS1<SBNPZS2<SBNPZS3<SBNPZS4 hence SBNPZS4 owns the highest fast and thermal neutron absorption characteristics. Consequently, SBNPZS glasses can be suggested and developed as photons, neutrons and charged particles shielding materials.