Determining the gamma-ray parameters for BaO–ZnO–B₂O₃ glasses using MCNP5 code: a comparison study

ABSTRACT

Rapid technological advancement has multiplied people’s exposure to ionizing radiations greatly. Widespread applications of radiation in different fields (such as agriculture, radiation therapy and scientific research fields) require that humans be protected against unnecessary exposure. In this study, mass attenuation coefficient (μ_m), half-value layer, mean-free path, effective atomic number (Z_eff) and exposure buildup factor have been calculated for xBaO–20ZnO–(80 − x)B₂O₃ (x = 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mol%) glass systems. The mass attenuation coefficients of the selected glasses were calculated using simulation method of MCNP5 code. The simulation results have been compared with the experimental data and Xcom at the energies 223.02, 252.98, 287.28, 340.83, 398.97, 481.59, 562.68 and 662.00 keV. The agreement amounts of the mass attenuation coefficient values are from 0.2% to 2.8% and from 0.2% to 6.98% for MCNP5 and Xcom relative to experimental results, while the Monte Carlo program values are higher than that obtained by experimental data, using Xcom and MCNP5 code. The glass sample having the highest value of BaO content show high radiation shielding properties. It indicates that the MCNP5 code can be used for estimation of radiation interaction parameters where experimental results are not available.

KEYWORDS:

• Mass attenuation coefficient
• MCNP5 code
• Xcom
• Monte Carlo program
• oxide glass

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.