A simple spreadsheet program for calculating mass attenuation coefficients and shielding parameters based on EPICS2017 and EPDL97 photoatomic libraries. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hila, Frederick C.; Amorsolo, Alberto V.; Javier-Hila, Abigaile Mia V.; Guillermo, Neil Raymund D.
• Is Part Of: Radiation physics and chemistry. Volume 177(2020:Dec.)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Effective atomic number -- ENDF/B-VI.8 -- ENDF/B-VIII -- ENDF-6 format -- Microsoft excel -- Spline interpolation; Radiation chemistry -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Periodicals; Chimie sous rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2020.109122
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-806X

Abstract

Abstract: A spreadsheet program for calculating mass attenuation coefficients and other shielding parameters was built. The program can choose its libraries from ENDF/B-VIII (EPICS2017) or ENDF/B-VI.8 (EPDL97) photoatomic cross sections. Using MS Excel extensions, cubic spline, one way spline, and linear interpolations were used on a log-log scale. Good agreements were shown between both libraries and XCOM generated mass attenuation coefficients in most elements from Z = 1 to Z = 100 and in most energies considered. However, there were significant differences for some heavy elements at low photon energies. The program was also validated by multi-elemental material results obtained by XCOM, by others in literature, and by the Phy-X/PSD, all with good agreements. Therefore, the program is a versatile tool especially in the validation of photon shielding parameters calculated via the Monte Carlo method. Highlights: A spreadsheet program was built for photon shielding calculations. The program can calculate μ m, σ T, σ e, Z e f f, and N e f f The EPICS2017 and EPDL97 photoatomic libraries were used as basis. Validations with XCOM and results from literature were made. Microsoft Excel interpolation extensions were used on log-log scales.