Li₂O–B₂O₃–Bi₂O₃ glasses: gamma-rays and neutrons attenuation study using ParShield/WinXCOM program and Geant4 and Penelope codes

For 25 Li₂O–(75 − x) B₂O₃–x Bi₂O₃ (where x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 mol%) glasses, gamma-ray and neutrons attenuation features were explored by theoretical approach using ParShield/WinXCOM program, Geant4, and Penelope codes. At ¹³³Ba (276, 303, 356, and 384 keV), ²²Na (511 and 1280 keV), ¹³⁷Cs (662 keV), ⁵⁴Mn (835 keV), and ⁶⁰Co (1170 and 1330 keV) photon peaks, for all samples, mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ), effective atomic number (Z_eff), effective electron density (N_eff), half-value layer (HVL), and mean free path (MFP) parameters have been evaluated using ParShield/WinXCOM program. The μ/ρ values computed by WinXCOM, Geant4, and Penelope codes were compared to check the accuracy, and satisfactory agreement among the values was identified. Moreover, using G–P fitting method as a function of penetration depth (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 mfp) within the photon energy range of 0.015–15 MeV, exposure buildup factor (EBF) and energy absorption buildup factor (EABF) were derived. For all selected glasses, the effectiveness of the neutrons attenuation has been discussed in terms of macroscopic effective removal cross-section (Σ_R), coherent scattering cross-section (σ_cs), incoherent scattering cross-section (σ_ics), absorption cross-section (σ_A), and total neutron cross-section (σ_T). The ‘σ_T’ values have been calculated within 10⁻⁴–10⁻⁸ MeV neutron energy range using the Geant4 code. The μ/ρ possessed larger values at the lowest energy and lower values at higher energy regions for all studied glasses. The μ/ρ, Z_eff, HVL, and MFP values showed enhanced γ-ray shielding capability with Bi₂O₃ content increment in the samples. The 25 Li₂O–35 B₂O₃–40 Bi₂O₃ (mol%) sample by having larger Z_eq and/or Z_eff value, faired lower EBF and EABF values. Largest μ/ρ and Z_eff, and minimal HVL, MFP, EBF, and EABF values of 25 Li₂O–35 B₂O₃–40 Bi₂O₃ (mol%) glass demonstrated its superior γ-ray attenuation ability among all examined glasses. Further, among all glasses, 25 Li₂O–75 B₂O₃ (mol%) sample exhibits relatively higher Σ_R (0.11326 cm⁻¹) and ‘σ_T’ (46.109 cm⁻¹ → 0.84607 cm⁻¹ from 1 × 10⁻⁸ MeV → 1×10⁻⁴ MeV neutron energy) values for fast and thermal neutrons attenuation, respectively, indicating its better neutrons absorption competence.