MULTICOMPONENT X-RAY PROTECTIVE MATERIALS - AN ANALYTICAL STUDY WITH ALLOWANCE FOR FLUORESCENCE RERADIATION

An analytical procedure is proposed, whereby one can calculate the X-r ay flux in the bulk of and beyond a multicomponent barrier and determi ne energy absorption in the material and in each of its components wit h allowance for photoabsorption and for the yield of fluorescence emis sion and high-energy photoelectrons. The procedure draws upon unified approximations for the original X-ray spectrum, the photoabsorption co efficients of the elements, and second- and third-order integroexponen tial functions, and thus leads to a fairly simple program for a person al computer. A comparative study is described of single- and multicomp onent X-ray protective materials used as radiation shields for typical X-ray units. The significant role of the composition and of fluoresce nce radiation is demonstrated with reference to shields containing cer ium and tin in various proportions. Real lead-free. multicomponent com positions and the X-ray protective properties of materials on their ba sis are examined.