Attenuation of photon and neutron radiation using iron–magnetite–serpentinite radiation-protective composite

Abstract

The attenuation coefficients of photon and neutron beams as they pass through the iron–magnetite–serpentinite cement concrete (IMSCC), which is used for biological protection of nuclear reactors, are calculated. Compton scattering makes the main contribution to attenuation of the beam at γ-photon energies lying in the range of 0.2–11 MeV, while at photon energies higher than 11 MeV the main contribution to attenuation of beam is made by the effect of formation of electron–positron couples. It is shown by assessing the influence of fast neutrons that, despite the low density of hydrogen in the composite under study, the contribution of hydrogen to the attenuation coefficient of the neutron flux is very important. It is connected both with the high hydrogen concentration and the fact that higher kinetic energy is transferred to light atomic nuclei than to heavy ones under neutron irradiation.