Effective Atomic Numbers of Lanthanides with Gamma Radiation for Photon Energy Absorption

Abstract

Effective atomic numbers for photon energy absorption, Z PEA,eff have been calculated for photon from 1 keV to 20 MeV for selected oxides of lanthanides, such as Lanthanum oxide, Cerium oxide, Samarium oxide, Europium oxide, Dysprosium oxide, Thulium oxide, Ytterbium oxide. The Z PEA,eff values then compared with Z PI,eff for photon interaction. The Z PEA,eff values have been found to change with energy and composition of selected lanthanides. Oxides of lanthanides are considered as better shielding materials to the exposure of gamma radiation. The values of effective atomic number for photon energy absorption help in the calculation of absorbed dose.