Dual-Function Radiation Shielding for Downhole Tool

A downhole tool is provided that includes radiation shielding using a material that is lighter, stronger, less expensive, and/or more commercially available than tungsten radiation shielding. Such a down-hole tool may include an electronic radiation generator that emits photons to through a source window located on an outer surface of the downhole tool. A detector may detect at least some of the photons through a detector window. Radiation shielding of the downhole tool may attenuate photons that travel from the electronic radiation generator toward the detector without passing through the detector window. The radiation shielding may include a material that has a density less than 10.5 g/cc and an element of atomic number greater than 40.