Study of Effective Atomic Number in Compounds Using Gamma-​Ray Interaction

Abstract

In view of low cost, hydrogenous materials such as Polyethylene and CH2 have been developed and are being used currently by NASA as an effective galactic cosmic radiation shields in place of aluminum for hull design of spacecraft. Lead, steel and concrete which are currently being used as effective radiation shields for the treatment of rooms equipped with Electron accelerators are found be quite expensive. Hence, it is necessary to use alternative low cost material which serves as an effective radiation shield. In the present study, an attempt has been made to measure gamma-​ray mass attenuation coeff., effective at. no. and absorbed dose rate of the compds. such as NH4Cl, KCl, and CdO using various gamma sources of energies 356, 511, 662, 1173, and 1332 keV. These parameters are expected to gives vital information on the selection of shielding materials. (c) 2009 American Institute of Physic