Monte Carlo simulation and determination of gamma ray protection characteristics of composites containing Bismuth Oxide and elements of Gadolinium, Titanium, Tungsten, Zirconium, Zinc and Yttrium

In this research, the use of composites based on bismuth oxide with impurities of Gadolinium, titanium, yttrium, tungsten, zirconium and zinc as a protective material for effective protection has been discussed. In here, the evaluation of X-ray and gamma ray shielding for selected composites has been done using the simulation tool based on Monte Carlo method of Geant4, in the photon energy range of 15 keV to 15 MeV. To investigate the performance of these selected composites, effective quantities in gamma ray attenuation such as: attenuation coefficients (total, linear and mass), mean free distance, one-tenth and half-value layers, the ratio of Compton scattering to the total attenuation coefficient have been calculated. To verify the simulation results, the simulation results are compared with the data extracted from the NIST-XCOM database, and the data extracted from the NIST-XCOM database and the simulation results are in good agreement with each other. Also, the percentage deviation (RD) between the calculated results is less than 2% in most cases. Due to the high atomic number of bismuth and Gadolinium, compound of bismuth oxide containing Gadolinium absorb and attenuate high-energy photons with higher efficiency than lead and are less toxic. Bismuth oxide compound shields with Gadolinium element can be used as absorbers of high-energy photons for various jobs in the field of medical radiation, such as doctors, dental hygienists, operating room workers, and radiologists, and can improve the health and safety of workers.