Gamma ray attenuation in a developed borate glassy system

Measurements and calculations of gamma ray attenuation coefficients in glass barriers of xBaO-5ZnO5MgO-14Na(2)O--1Li(2)O-(75 x)B2O3, previously prepared by the melt-quenching technique [1], were performed for 'y-ray of energies 121.8, 244.7, 344.14, 661.66, 778.7, 974, 1086.7, 1173.24, 1332.5, and 1407.9 key; which emitted from Eu-152, Cs-137, and Co-60 radioactive gamma ray sources. The transmitted gamma-rays were detected by 3 x 3 and 5 x 5 NaI (T1) scintillation gamma-ray spectrometers, and a highly calibrated survey meter. The mass attenuation coefficients of 'y-rays (a(E)) were deduced from the attenuation curves, while the WinXCom computer program (version 3.1) was used to calculate the mass attenuation coefficients of gamma-rays for such energies at different barium concentrations of a glassy system. A good agreement between both experimental and theoretical results was achieved as well as results obtained by other workers in similar field. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.