Gamma-ray attenuation coefficients in bismuth borate glasses

Mass attenuation coefficients of glasses in the system: xBi(2)O(3)(1 - x)B2O3 (x = 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45 and 0.55) were determined at 356, 662, 1173 and 1332 keV photon energies using a narrow beam transmission method. Appreciable variations were observed in these coefficients due to changes in the chemical composition of glasses. These coefficients were then used to determine effective atomic numbers of glass samples, which were found to be constant with bismuth concentration and energy. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.