Theoretical Investigation of the Gamma and Neutron Interaction Parameters of Some Inorganic Scintillators Using Phy-X/PSD and NGCal Software

Abstract

Inorganic scintillators are used in extreme environments is essential in applications such as nuclear fusion, marine and space exploration, etc. Radiation resistance is requirement for scintillators to be used in above mentioned applications. It is important to calculate the gamma buildup factors for inorganic scintillators to understand its radiation resistance behaviour. The gamma-ray and neutron interaction parameters were calculated for inorganic scintillators such as BaF2, BGO, CdWO4, CaF2(Eu), CaWO4, CsI, CsI(Na), CsI(Tl), Gd2O2S, LaBr3(Ce), LaCl3(Ce), PbWO4, LSO(Ce), LYSO(Ce), NaI(Tl), YAG(Ce), ZnS(Ag), ZnWO4. The gamma ray interaction parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient, half value layer, tenth value layer, effective atomic number, equivalent atomic number, exposure and energy absorption buildup factor were computed using Phy-X/PSD software. The neutron interaction parameters such as fast neutron removal crosssection, and mass attenuation factor for thermal and fast neutron were computed using Phy-X/PSD and NGCal software respectively. The present calculated mass attenuation coefficient values are compared with geant4 data available in the literature. The higher values of Zeff were found for PbWO4 upto 0.1 MeV and above 0.1 MeV, CsI(Tl) has higher Zeff values. However, the Zeq values were found to be higher for PbWO4 in the whole energy range. The mass attenuation factor for thermal and fast neutron was found that Gd2O2S has highest value and BGO has lowest value. The present investigation indicates that the inorganic scintillator PbWO4 has an excellent gamma-ray sensing response.