Gamma-ray Shielding Study of Silicate Glasses Containing Different Concentrations of Bismuth Oxide

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Radiation Applications Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), AEOI, Tehran, Iran

10.22052/rsm.2025.256640.1119

Abstract

With the widespread use of radiation sources and radioactive materials in medicine, industry, and agriculture, the study of the attenuation and absorption of X-rays and gamma rays and shielding against them has become an essential branch in the field of radiation protection. Concrete is the most common material used for shielding. However, one of its biggest disadvantages is that it does not allow visible light to pass through it. In addition, lead, a widely used shielding material, is being replaced by other heavy metal oxides due to environmental concerns and toxicity to humans. In this research, linear and mass attenuation coefficients, effective atomic numbers, and effective electron density of silicate glasses containing different concentrations of bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) are calculated at energies of 662, 1173, and 1332 keV using the MCNPX code and XCOM program. The obtained results are compared with available experimental data. Bismuth-silicate glasses showed very good shielding properties against gamma rays.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Radiation Safety and Measurement
Volume 14, Issue 2 - Serial Number 54
September 2025
Pages 61-66

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