Optical properties and gamma-shielding features of bismuth borate glasses

In the present work, six bismuth borate glass samples with chemical formula (75− x )B 2 O 3 – x Bi 2 O 3 –10CaO–10Na 2 O–5Al 2 O 3 , ( x = 0.0–25.0 mol%) have been manufactured. UV–visible spectral distributions for the investigated system were measured in the range of 250–850 nm. The optical absorption data showed the existence of allowed indirect transitions. The optical energy gap values ( E g opt . ) via Tauc’s model vary from 3.39 to 2.45 eV. The complex dielectric constant ( ε ^ ) was evaluated. All the optical parameters are found to be sensitive to the concentration of Bi 2 O 3 . Also, gamma photons’ attenuation features such as the mass attenuation coefficient ( µ / ρ ), gamma photon transmission function ( I / I o ), effective atomic number ( Z eff ), and half value thickness (HVT) for the investigated glass samples were estimated using MCNPX code and XCOM program in the range of 0.356–1.33 MeV. Replacement of B 2 O 3 by Bi 2 O 3 enhances the ability of glass samples to attenuate gamma photons. The results revealed that the studied glasses can be considered as candidate for optical fiber, devices, and gamma shieling.