Radiation shielding and sensing properties for some Eu3+ doped bismo-phosphate glasses

Present work is focused on experimentally exploring the radiation shielding and sensing properties of europium (Eu) doped bismo (Bi)-phosphate (P) glasses with different metal oxide (CuO, ZnO, SrO, BaO, PbO) contributions. Samples were synthesized via melt quenching method and glassy nature was verified using XRD characterization. Different radiation shielding and sensing parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient (μm), optimum thickness range (xopt), effective atomic number (Zeff), electron density (Ne), mean free path (mfp), half value layer (HVL) and tenth value layer (TVL) were obtained theoretically as preliminary data for preparing sample of required thickness. A special geometric setup consisting of Gammarad5, lead collimators and γ rays sources of Na22, Cs137 and Co60 were used to measure these parameters. Both, theoretical and experimental findings show good agreement within percentage deviation of ±4%. The μm value tends to decrease with the increase in photon energy as well as with the replacement of lower atomic number metal oxide (MO) by comparatively higher atomic number MO in the glass system. The Zeff, Ne and radiation protection efficiency (RPE) of the samples follow similar trend. Whereas thickness normalizing parameters (TNPs) viz HVL, mfp and TVL follows inverse trend. Among the synthesized glass samples, EuBiPPb possess highest values of density (4.76 g/cc), μm, Zeff, Ne and RPE with least thickness requirements. The work has been extended to compute and analyze exposure buildup factor (EBF) and energy absorption buildup factor (EABF) parameters too. The present results show significant potential of glass samples in shielding and sensing applications.