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Structure, physical, optical properties, and radiation shielding capacity of some calcium borophosphate glasses with the nominal compositions of 50B2O3 + 20P2O5+(20-X)CaO + 10Na2O + XGd2O3: X = 0 (Gd-0.0), 0.5 (Gd-0.5), 1.0 (Gd-1.0), 1.5 (Gd-1.5), and 2.0 (Gd-2.0) mol% were investigated. The studied samples were prepared via the conventional melt quenching procedure. The Phy-X/PSD software employed to evaluate the γ-ray absorption competence. XRD measurements indicate that the Gd-X samples were in amorphous nature. Density (ρ) increased from 2.31 g/cm3 to 2.60 g/cm3, whereas molar volume (Vm) declined from 34.80 cm3/mol to 33.50 cm3/mol. In UV region, Gd-X glasses recorded two absorption bands at 240 and 280 nm. The optical energy band gap (Eg) ranged from 3.35 to 3.20 eV, whereas refractive index (n) varied from 2.32 to 2.36. Values of the nonlinear refractive index (n2) changed from 4.11 × 10− 11 esu to 4.64 × 10− 11 esu. Values of the values of third order optical susceptibility (χ(3)) changed from 2.53 × 10− 12 esu to 2.89 × 10− 12 esu. Trend of the mass-(MAC) and linear-(LAC) absorption coefficients for Gd-X samples followed by the order that Gd-0.0 < Gd-0.5 < Gd-1.0 < Gd-1.5 < Gd-2.0. Trend of half-(HVL) and tenth-(TVL) value layers followed by the order that Gd-0.0 > Gd-0.5 > Gd-1.0 > Gd-1.5 > Gd-2.0. Results showed that the suggested Gd-X glasses can be applied for optical and medical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influence of CuO on the linear/nonlinear optical, elastic, physical features, and radiation protection performance of CuO-based glasses in form (50-y/2)Na2O + (50-y/2)P2O5 + yCuO, (y = 0.0–40 mol%) has been studied in the current article. The density was increased from 2.47 to 3.26 g.cm−3 accomplished with a concurrent decrease in the oxygen molar volume from 13.76 to 12.97 cm3.mol−1 as the mol% of [Cu2+] enhanced in the tested glasses. Also, the Vickers hardness (Hv) was found to increase with increasing CuO content in the current glass systems. The notable tendency of mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) values in the investigated energetic photon range obeyed the sequential order: MACCuI-0 < MACCuI-10 < MACCuI-20 < MACCuI-25 < MACCuI-30 < MACCuI-33 < MACCuI-40. Also, we found that the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) increased, while the half-value-layer (HVL), and transmission coefficient (TF%) also decreased. The HVL values of the current samples were compared with standard glasses, and it was found to those CuO-based samples possessed a comparable photon protection capacity as RS-360 and RS-520. The linear (nlinear) and nonlinear ( n 2 optical ) refractive index increased from 3.914 to 3.983 and from 2.76 × 10–9 and 3.15 × 10–9. Results uncovered that the optical, radiation protection efficiency and elasto-mechanical characteristics might at the same time be adjusted for an in- or/and out-door scientific and medical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of manganese (II) oxide on elastic–mechanical, effective electron density, effective electrical conductivity, the total atomic and electronic cross sections, and radiation shielding buildup factors parameters of the prepared B2O3–PbO–K2O–MnO glasses is investigated. In terms of mass attenuation coefficient (µm), values of (µm) increased with manganese (II) oxide content increased and followed the trend: (Mn5)µm > (Mn4)µm > (Mn3)µm > (Mn2)µm > (Mn1)µm > (Mn0)µm. Half (T1/2) and tenth (value layer (and T1/10) of the proposed glasses have the same trend. The effective atomic (Zeff) and electron (Neff) numbers of the investigated glasses have a similar trend of the µm, i.e., (Mn5)Zeff,Neff > (Mn4)Zeff,Neff > (Mn3)Zeff,Neff > (Mn2)Zeff,Neff > (Mn1)Zeff,Neff > (Mn10)Zeff,Neff. The effective electrical conductivity (Ceff) varied from 3.62 × 109 (S/m) to 3.90 × 109 (S/m) at photon energy 0.015 MeV and from 1.76 × 109 (S/m) to 1.91 × 109 (S/m) at photon energy 15 MeV. The exposure (EBF) and energy absorption (EABF) buildup factor values are increasing as the molar fraction of MnO is increased. Therefore, the addition of the manganese element to the glass mixture makes it more valuable in shielding performance. The calculated values of Poisson's ratio (σ) are increased from 0.417198 to 0.412746 as the molar fraction of MnO is increased in the sample. Similarly, high Young's moduli values are found to increase from 19.5 to 22.5 consistence's with the obtained Poisson's ratio. Results confirm that the investigated glasses can be used in various radiation shielding fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linear optical properties, optical dielectric constants, and dielectric loss as well as gamma-ray protection capacities of PbO reinforced TeO2–WO3 glasses with chemical composition 20WO3–(80 − x)TeO2–xPbO: x = 10 (WTPb1), 12.5 (WTPb2), 16.25 (WTPb3), 17.5 (WTPb4), and 20 (WTPb5) mol% have been investigated. Density of the investigated glasses gradually enhanced from 5.58 g/cm3 for WTPb1 sample to 5.90 g/cm3 for WTPb5 sample. The indirect optical energy band gap (EOptical) reduced from 2.28 to 2.10 eV. Urbach’s energy (ΔE) improved from 0.225 to 0.255 eV with increasing PbO content mol%. Optical real ( ε 1 ), imaginary ( ε 2) parts of dielectric constant, dielectric loss (tan δ), the refractive index (n), and the extinction coefficient (k) were improved as PbO content enhanced in TWPb glasses. Insertion of PbO in the glass matrix has a direct constructive effect on both the mass (MAC) and linear (LAC) attenuation coefficients for all photon energy among all investigated samples. The highest values of MAC and LAC were possessed for WTPb5 sample, while the lowest values were possessed for WTPb1 sample. In terms of half-value layer (HVL) parameter, the lowest values of HVL were possessed for WTPb5. The effective atomic number (Zeff) of the WTPb glasses has a similar trend of MAC and LAC. Results confirm that WTPb glasses can be considered as a superior for radiation protection compared to some commercial concrete radiation shielding materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Role of Sb2O3 on physical, elastic-mechanical, and gamma-ray protection ability of (70-x)B2O3-15CaO-15Li2O-xSb2O3: x = 0, 1, 3, 5, and 8 mol% glass systems was investigated through this report. The density was improved from 2.410 to 2.780 g.cm3 associated with a simultaneous increase in the molar volume from 25.575 to 28.556 cm3/mol as the mol% of Sb increased in the samples. In addition, the oxygen packing density (OPD) and oxygen molar volume (OMV) were decreased and increased, respectively, as a direct response to this increase in Sb mol%. The Gibbs free energy increases from 32.22 to 33.796 kJ/cm3, while Young's modulus decreases from 43.17 to 41.23 GPa. Therefore, Poisson's ratio (σ) values were varied from 0.4069 to 0.4153. Vicker's hardness was improved by enhancing Sb2O3 concentration. The observed trend of the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) parameter was followed as: MACSb0 < MAC Sb1 < MAC Sb3 < MAC Sb5 < MAC Sb8 with values in the range of 4.176–0.018, 5.907–0.019, 9.032–0.021, 11.775–0.0227, 15.315–0.0245 cm2/g for samples encoded as Sb0-Sb8, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-density glasses of neodymio-cadmium lead borate of chemical composition xNd2O3/20CdO/20PbO/(57-x)B2O3/3Na2O, where (0 (0Nd) ≤ x ≤ 5 (5Nd) wt%) have been fabricated by a melt quenching process. Physical, structure properties as well as gamma-radiation and neutron shielding effectiveness in wide photon energy range 0.015–15 MeV have been examined. The amorphous nature of xNd-glasses was confirmed, where there was a lack of their crystallinity. Density was gradually increased from 5.006 g/cm3 for 0Nd-glass sample to 5.245 g/cm3 for 5Nd-glass sample. In terms of the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), introducing Nd3+ ions in the glass matrix has a direct constructive influence on the obtained values of MAC. Generally, the MAC trend follows the order (MAC)5Nd > (MAC)4Nd > (MAC)3Nd > (MAC)2Nd > (MAC)1Nd > (MAC)0Nd. The linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) has a similar trend as MAC for all xNd-glasses. In terms of the half-value layer (T1/2), the 5Nd-glasses possessed the minimum T1/2 values (0.004 cm at 15 keV to 4.301 cm at 15 MeV). Therefore, the T1/2 of the fabricated xNd-glasses has an inverse behavior of the MAC and LAC. Thus, (T1/2)0Nd > (T1/2)1Nd > (T1/2)2Nd > (T1/2)3Nd > (T1/2)4Nd > (T1/2)5Nd. The effective atomic number (Zeff) parameter follows the order (Zeff)5Nd > (Zeff)4Nd > (Zeff)3Nd > (Zeff)2Nd > (Zeff)1Nd > (Zeff)0Nd. In the energies preferred for radiation applications, 5Nd-glasses possess very low exposure (EBF) and energy absorption (EABF) buildup factor values. The fast neutron removal cross-section (FNRC) of the fabricated glasses is improved as the Nd3+ content increases in the glass matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study for fabrication, physical, FTIR spectroscopy, ultrasonic waves, and mechanical properties of quaternary B2O3–Bi2O3–NaF–ZrO2 glasses was introduced. The fabricated glasses have the chemical formula 65B2O3–25NaF–(10-x)Bi2O3–xZrO2; x = 0 (Zr0), 2 (Zr2), 4 (Zr4), 5 (Zr5), and 6 (Zr6) mol% and produced via the melt quenching process. The longitudinal VL and shear VS velocities were measured using ultrasonic flaw detector. FTIR spectra were recorded in the wavenumber range 400–1550 cm−1. The density of the fabricated glasses reduces linearly from 3400 ± 6 (kg/m3) for Zr0 sample with free ZrO2 to 3099 ± 4 (kg/m3) for Zr6 sample with highest content of ZrO2. The oxygen packing density (OPD) rises from 74,742 to 82,980 kg atom/m3 when increasing content of ZrO2 from 0 to 6 mol%, respectively. The number of N3 was increased which the number of N4 decreased with ZrO2 concentration which confirms that the decreasing formation of BO4 units with ZrO2 content. Both VL and VS are persistently increasing for all range of the studied samples; such a behavior is ascribed to increments in number of strong Ø’s units. The insertion of ZrO2 in glasses network leads to improve their elastic moduli. Higher values of Debye temperature (θD) are found with increasing ZrO2 content that means higher thermal energy needed for excitation the corresponding vibrational mode. Makishima–Mackenzie values of Young (YM) and bulk (BM) moduli were in good agreement with the experimental results. Therefore, the increasing trends of YM and BM are similar to those of Young (Y) and bulk (B) moduli assuring the effect of [ZrO6]2− on introducing strengthened bonds into borate lattice. In addition, the microhardness (Hv) was found to increase with ZrO2 content; therefore, the glass system gets harder and stiffer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The direct effects of tungsten trioxide (WO3) on gamma radiation attenuation properties of tungsten/barium/phosphate glasses with chemical form xWO3–(50-x/2)BaO–(50-x/2)P2O3, x = 0 (S1)–60 (S7) in steps of 10 mol% has been investigated. To this end, Phy-X/PSD software and Monte Carlo code were applied. The increased amount of WO3 in the glass composition, on the other hand, contributed positively to the increase in density and radiation sensing properties. At the lowest and highest WO3 contributions, a nearly twofold increase in HVL value was seen for the S1 and S7 glass samples, respectively, with S7 having the lowest HVL values. The HVL has obeyed the trend as: (HVL)S1 > (HVL)S2 > (HVL)S3 > (HVL)S4 > (HVL)S5 > (HVL)S6 > (HVL)S7. The variation of the tenth value layer (TVL) for all studied glasses has the same trend of HVL. In terms of mean free path (MFP), there was negative effect of WO3 concentration on the trend of MFP. Consequently, S7 glass sample has the lowest values of MFP, while the S1 glass sample has the highest values. Therefore, (MFP)S1 > (MFP)S2 > (MFP)S3 > (MFP)S4 > (MFP)S5 > (MFP)S6 > (MFP)S7. A comparison of the HVL of S7 glass sample with some commercial radiation shielding materials such as different types of concrete and RS-253-G18 glasses has been performed and concluded that the S7 glass sample is superior as radiation shielding material than several commercial materials. It can be concluded that WO3 reinforcement serves a multipurpose of increasing the density and hence the gamma-ray-shielding characteristics of comparable glass compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influence of Gd2O3 on the structure, physical, neutrons and gamma-photon protection features of newly prepared (50-x)B2O3 + 25Bi2O3 + 25Na2O + xGd2O3 glasses with different Gd2O3 concentrations was investigated. Glasses have been prepared via solid-state conventional method and encoded as Gd0, Gd1, Gd2, Gd3, and Gd4, respectively, according to xGd2O3 values. X-ray diffraction measurements proved that all Gd-glasses were in an amorphous nature. The density of the samples was increased from 5.1021 to 6.3210 g.cm−3. The mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) values were simulated via MCNPX in photon energy range of 15 keV–15 MeV and verified via XCOM program. The MACs were ranged from 28.69 to 32.52 cm2.g−1, while linear attenuation coefficient values were found to be ranged from 142 to 201 cm−1 for Gd0 and Gd4, respectively. The Gd4 glass has the lowest half value layer (HVL, highest radiation shielding capacity) among all the prepared Gd-glasses, several concretes, and conventional glasses. The atomic cross section (ACS) and electronic cross section (ECS) values were enhanced with the increment of Gd ratio in the sample compositions, and the measures of ACS were much greater than the ECS values. The effective atomic number (Zeff) values were ranged from 62.7 to 63.4 for Gd0 to Gd4, respectively. The effective conductivity (Ceff) is directly proportional to the density and effective electron density of the glass samples. By utilizing the Phy-X/PSD program, the maximum values of exposure buildup factor were slowly decreased with the addition of Gd2O3 contents and decreased from 55.8 to 55.3, while the highest energy absorption buildup factor increases slowly from 70.5 to 71.1 for glasses Gd0 and Gd4, respectively. The lowest values of fast neutron removal cross section (∑R, cm−1) were obtained for glasses Gd0 (∑R = 0.179 cm−1), while the highest value was obtained for glasses Gd4 (∑R = 0.179 cm−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photon and neutron shielding factors and elastic moduli of phosphate glass doped with Tm3+ ions (abbreviated as PPKANT glasses) have been analyzed. MCNP-5 simulation code, and Phy-X/PSD software have been utilized to estimate the gamma rays and neutron shielding capacity. Furthermore, Makishima and Mackenzie’s theory has been performed to calculate elastic moduli. Young’s modulus, bulk modulus, and shear modulus have been varied from 40.71 to 43.62 GPa, 28.01 to 30.65 GPa, and 16.18 to 17.27 GPa, respectively. Poisson’s ratio changed from 0.257 for PPKANT0.1 glass to 0.263 for PPKANT4 glass. At low gamma photon energy (0.015 meV), the LAC increased with the increase of Tm3+ content (LAC = 155.54 and 170.18 cm−1 for glass samples PPKANT0.1 and PPKANT4, respectively). At high energy (15 MeV), the LAC changed from 0.118 to 0.124 cm−1 for PPKANT0.1 to PPKANT4. The highest values of the HVL decreased from 5.734 to 5.570 cm. The trend of MFP was like the HVL trend. At 15 MeV, the values of the EBF and EABF were rapidly increased with the increase in the penetration depth (PD), especially for PD > 20 mfp. The lowest ∑R was achieved for glasses PPKANT4 with 4 mol % Tm2O3, where ∑R = 0.02561 cm2g−1. The investigated PPKANT glasses can be considered good neutron and photon shields compared to some traditional radiation shielding materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma-ray/neutron shielding capacity and mechanical properties of erbium-doped potassium manganese borate glasses with the chemical form of (1 − x)MnO–29K2O–70B2O3–xEr2O3: x = 0–1 mol% coded as E0–E5 via bond compression model, XCOM software, and PHITS simulations have been investigated. The bulk modulus (KB.C) values increased from 90.19 for E0 glass sample with free Er2O3 to 101.24 GPa for E5 glass sample with Er2O3 = 1 mol%. The Young’s modulus (EB.C) increased from 102.68 GPa to 115.38 GPa, while the longitudinal modulus (LB.C) increased from 142.31 GPa to 159.81 GPa for E0–E5 glasses. Poisson’s ratio (σB.C) decreased from 0.310261 to 0.310065 with the increase of Er3+ ions in the investigated glasses. Hardness of E0–E5 glasses was increased from 4.96 GPa to 5.58 GPa. The mass attenuation coefficient (µ/ρ) values were the highest at the least energy of 0.284 MeV with values of 0.1080, 0.1096, 0.1113, 0.1129, 0.1145, and 0.1161 cm2 g−1 for E0, E1, E2, E3, E4, and E5, respectively. Moreover, radiation protection efficiency (RPE) of the E0–E5 glasses was estimated using PHITS simulation code. The highest RPE was observed for E5 glass with a thickness of 5 cm. Finally, the neutron shielding capacity of E0–E5 glasses was evaluated in terms of the fast neutron removal cross section (FNRCS). The values of FNRCS increased by adding Er2O3 content and a sharp increase was observed at xEr2O3: x = 0.8 mol%. Generally, one can conclude that the E5 glass sample with the highest Er2O3 (1 mol%) concentration is the best sample as radiation shield among all the studied glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetic, optical features, and gamma-ray shielding competence of 0.8 [xBaO (1 − x)MgO]·0.2MoO3·2TeO2:x = 0,0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1 mol% named as M1–M5 have been investigated. The highest value of the optical electronegativity (χ*) was achieved for the M4 glass sample, while the lowest was achieved for the M5 sample. The nonlinear refractive index n 2 optical and nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ3) followed the same trend. The values of the bulk modulus (KB−C) decreased from 144.52 GPa for the M1 glass to 79.14 GPa for the M5 glass with increasing the BaO content. The longitudinal modulus (LB−C) decreased from 289.61 to 158.58 GPa and the Young’s modulus (EB−C) decreased from 261.74 to 143.17 GPa for M1–M5 glasses. Poisson’s ratio (σB−C) for all glasses (M1–M5) has a constant value (0.198) as the average cross-link density ( n ¯ c ) for all glasses is constant. The transmission factor (TF) of M1–M5 glasses decreases significantly as the mol% of BaO increases. The half value thickness (HVT) follows the trend of (M1)HVT > (M2)HVT > (M3)HVT > (M4)HVT > (M5)HVT. The effective atomic number (Zeff) follows the trend of (M1)Zeff < (M2)Zeff < (M3)Zeff < (M4)Zeff < (M5)Zeff. This observation comes from the fact that BaO has a greater atomic number than MgO, so that as the concentration of BaO increases in the glasses, the Zeff of the glasses increases as well. Generally, since a lower TF means a greater attenuating ability, it can be determined that the M5 glass has the better shielding ability and that the greater BaO content leads to greater attenuation in the investigated glass system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six glass samples of new lead borate with chemical formula 5Al2O3–5Na2O–(90-x)B2O3–xPbO, where 0 ≤ x ≤ 50 mol% have been synthesized using the melt quenching technique. The prepared glasses distinguished by codes as x = 0 (ANBP00)—x = 50 (ANBP50) mol%. The physical properties and gamma-ray shielding capability of the glasses have been investigated. To achieve these aims, the amorphous structure of all glasses was examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The density and molar volume have been calculated. Density of the glasses increases from 2.133 (g/cm3) for ANBP00 glass sample to 5.010 (g/cm3) for ANBP50 sample. The XMuDat and XCOM programs were used to calculate the mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ) in the photon energy range of 0.015–10 MeV for all glasses. The difference between the obtained values of XMuDat and XCOM is found to be less than 1%. Half value layer (HVL), effective atomic number (Zeff), and mean free path (MFP) as γ-ray shielding features have been evaluated using values of the (μ/ρ) for all proposed glasses. Results reveal that ANBP50 and ANBP00 samples possess a maximum Zeff and a minimum Zeff, respectively. Indeed, ANBP50 glass has lowest values of (HVL) and (MFP). Therefore, addition of PbO content in the prepared glasses has a considerable effect to improve the shielding effectiveness for these glasses. Finally, ANBP50 glass can be considered as a promising candidate for gamma-ray protection applications among different types of concretes, commercial glasses, and HMO glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of photon attenuation and optical properties was performed for (20Bi2O3–60B2O3–(20-y)PbO–yTiO2), where y = 0.0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 wt%) glassy system. UV–Vis absorption measurements for the glasses in the range of 90–1100 nm wavelengths have been recorded. Based on the absorption spectra, the band gap of optical energy for each glass sample has been evaluated using absorbance spectrum fitting ( E Optical ASF ) and derivative absorbance spectrum fitting ( E Optical DASF ) models and compared with those obtained by Tauc's method. E Optical ASF varies from 2.405 to 2.008 eV, while E Optical DASF takes values from 3.000 to 2.914 eV. Indeed, different optical parameters such as refractive index, molar polarizability, molar refractivity, metallization criterion, dielectric constants, optical transmission, reflection loss, band gap of optical energy-based metallization criterion, and refractive index-based metallization criterion have been evaluated. Moreover, several shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficients, linear attenuation coefficient, half-value layer, tenth-value layer, mean free path, effective atomic numbers, and effective electron densities have been evaluated using the WinXCOM program in the energy range 0.010–15 MeV for the prepared glass system. At 1 MeV photon energy, the half value layer for the investigated glasses takes values from 2.03 to 2.15 cm. The results showed that the studied glasses can be applied as candidate for radiation shielding materials according to their coefficients of mass attenuation and HVL values, especially the composition with the highest value of PbO (20 wt%), which introduced good nuclear radiation shielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of photon attenuation and optical properties was performed for (20Bi2O3–60B2O3–(20-y)PbO–yTiO2), where y = 0.0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 wt%) glassy system. UV–Vis absorption measurements for the glasses in the range of 90–1100 nm wavelengths have been recorded. Based on the absorption spectra, the band gap of optical energy for each glass sample has been evaluated using absorbance spectrum fitting ( E Optical ASF ) and derivative absorbance spectrum fitting ( E Optical DASF ) models and compared with those obtained by Tauc's method. E Optical ASF varies from 2.405 to 2.008 eV, while E Optical DASF takes values from 3.000 to 2.914 eV. Indeed, different optical parameters such as refractive index, molar polarizability, molar refractivity, metallization criterion, dielectric constants, optical transmission, reflection loss, band gap of optical energy-based metallization criterion, and refractive index-based metallization criterion have been evaluated. Moreover, several shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficients, linear attenuation coefficient, half-value layer, tenth-value layer, mean free path, effective atomic numbers, and effective electron densities have been evaluated using the WinXCOM program in the energy range 0.010–15 MeV for the prepared glass system. At 1 MeV photon energy, the half value layer for the investigated glasses takes values from 2.03 to 2.15 cm. The results showed that the studied glasses can be applied as candidate for radiation shielding materials according to their coefficients of mass attenuation and HVL values, especially the composition with the highest value of PbO (20 wt%), which introduced good nuclear radiation shielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, glasses with composition (75−y)B2O3−yBi2O3−12.5Na2O−12.5CaO: y = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mol% were fabricated by conventional method (melt quenching). The amorphous state of the glasses was tested by XRD measurements. Densities and molar volumes of the prepared samples were measured. The optical absorption spectra were registered in UV–Vis range of 190–1100 nm wavelength. The optical energy gaps ( E ASF Optical ) for all samples were evaluated using the absorption spectrum fitting (ASF) method. Indeed, refractive index (n) and optical dielectric constant (εOptical) have been studied. Results reveal that the ( E ASF Optical ) reduces, while (n) and (εOptical) increase with increasing Bi2O3 content. Photon-shielding parameters for the glasses were examined by computing the mass attenuation coefficients (µ/ρ) in the energy range 0.356–2.506 MeV with the help of WinXCOM program. It is found that the suggested glasses are promising materials for photon shielding with enhancement of Bi2O3 concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New zinc lead borate glasses with (50B2O3–10ZnO–(40 − y) PbO)–yFe2O3: 0 ≤ y ≤ 10 wt%) composition were synthesized by the conventional melt-quench technique. The amorphous nature of the glasses was tested by using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. FTIR spectra for the glasses were recorded in the range of 4000–400 cm−1. Physical properties of the proposed glasses were evaluated. The mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) for the glasses were calculated by the Geant4 simulation toolkit code and XCOM software within the photon energy range 365–2510 keV. Different γ-ray shielding parameters such as half-value layer, tenth value layer, and transmission fraction for the proposed glasses were evaluated using the obtained values of the (μ/ρ). Results reveal that for 1 cm glass thickness, the (50B2O3–10ZnO–30PbO)–10Fe2O3 sample has the highest transmission, due to the lower amount of Pb, and thus poorer shielding capability among the other glass samples. In addition, the probabilities of γ-ray interaction with the studied glasses were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]