ENHANCING GAMMA-RAY SHIELDING EFFICIENCY OF ERBIUM OXIDE DOPED GERMANATE GLASS: A STUDY USING FLUKA AND XCOM PROGRAMS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55766/sujst9823Keywords:
Er2O3, Shielding materials, Germanate glass, FLUKA, XCOMAbstract
Gamma (γ)-ray shielding materials are essential for reducing γ-ray exposure to safe levels for human safety. This study analyzed the γ-ray shielding characteristics of xEr2O3 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 mol%) doped germanate glass utilizing FLUKA Monte Carlo simulations and XCOM theoretical programs across the energy range of 15 keV to 15 MeV. The parameters examined include mass (µm) attenuation coefficients, mean free path (MFP), half value layer (HVL), effective atomic number (Zeff), and effective electron density (Neff). The γ-ray shielding performance of the present glasses was assessed relative to standard shielding materials.
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