An experimental approach to determine the gamma radiation interaction mean free path and exposure buildup factor for biomolecules

Experimental investigation of gamma-ray interaction parameters and buildup factors in lanthanide compounds: Insights into penetration depth

This experimental investigation focuses on the gamma-ray interaction parameters and the buildup factor in lanthanide compounds (CeO2, Ce(SO4)2, Dy2(SO4)3, C3O9Sm2, C3Gd2O9, Pr2O3). These compounds were exposed to weak radioactive gamma sources with energies of 356, 511, 662, 1173, 1275, and 1332 keV by adopting narrow and broad beam geometry experimental arrangements. The incident and transmitted radiation intensities were measured using a NaI (Tl) detector. Experimentally measured values of mass attenuation coefficient and effective atomic number of lanthanide compounds were found to be in precise agreement with theoretical values obtained from NIST XCOM and Direct-Zeff database respectively. Additionally, the experimentally determined buildup factor values were compared with energy absorption buildup factor (EABF) and exposure buildup factor (EBF) values obtained from Phy-X/PSD software, providing insights into the gamma-ray penetration depth in terms of mean free path (MFP). At 356 keV, the EABF analysis showed that most compounds had a penetration depth of around 8 mean free paths. In contrast, the EBF analysis indicated penetration depths exceeding 10 mean free paths for all compounds except Ce (SO4)2. This new approach holds immense potential for transformative advancements in medical diagnostics, therapy, and the development of innovative technologies in nuclear sciences.

Gamma rays and neutrons attenuation performance of a developed lead borate glass for radiotherapy room

The development of radiation therapy necessitated a continuous R&D for radiotherapy rooms' glass windows to reach the highest levels of protection for the staff of the radiotherapy facility. Therefore, in this article, a novel type of lead borate glass depending on parallel augmenting of lead and boron was produced to be used as gamma-rays and fast and thermal neutrons barriers in radiotherapy rooms. Neutrons and gamma rays' attenuation parameters, fast neutrons removal cross section ${\varSigma}_R$, thermal neutron total cross section ${\sigma}_T$, mass attenuation coefficient $\sigma$, linear attenuation coefficient μ, half-value layer, mean free path, effective atomic number Zeff, effective electron density Neff, and buildup factor for energy absorption (energy absorption buildup factor) and exposure (exposure buildup factor) were studied extensively. Three tools, Phy-X/PSD, EpiXS and XCOM computer programs and the standard mixture rules were utilized to estimate the attenuation parameters. The improvement caused by the augmentation of lead and boron in both gamma rays and neutrons attenuation was evident from the obtained results. The glass containing the highest lead and boron concentration PbB5, 40Pb-50B, which is the most efficient attenuator for gamma rays and both thermal and fast neutrons was recommended to be a distinguished choice as a shield in a radiotherapy room.