Photon Interaction Parameters Investigations for Some ZnO–Al₂O₃–Fe₂O₃–P₂O₅ Glasses at 59.4 keV Incident Photon Energy

Abstract—Total mass attenuation coefficient (μ_m), total photon interaction cross-section, effective atomic numbers (Z_eff) and electron densities (N_e) of 15ZnO(17.5 – x)Al₂O₃ · xFe₂O₃ · 67.5P₂O₅ glass system (x = 0, 7.5, 12.5, 17.5) and 15ZnO(25 – x)Al₂O₃ · xFe₂O₃ · 60P₂O₅ glass system (x = 0, 25) have been investigated at 59.54 keV energy photon emitted by 100 mCi ²⁴¹Am point source employing narrow beam transmission geometry. Experimental results have been compared with theoretically calculated values using WinXCOM (2001). Mixture rule is employed to calculated theoretical mass attenuation coefficient values for each sample. Good agreement has been observed between experimental and theoretical values within experimental uncertainties. The selected glass sample with maximum contribution of Fe₂O₃ with ZnO has maximum value of mass attenuation coefficient and effective atomic number. It is found that measured values are in agreement within 2% of theoretical results. The measurement of mm, Z_eff, interaction cross-section and N_e enhances the understanding of glass sample characteristics. The prepared glass samples are found to have potential applications in radiation shielding, as well as numerous applications in the fields of medicine and industry.