Estimation of the lead thickness required to shield scattered radiation from synchrotron radiation experiments

•A thickness estimates to shield scattered radiation at photon beam lines is given.•No specific assumption on composition and geometry of the target are required.•Energy and distribution of scattered radiation only depend on primary energy and angle.•The approach not only yields the required thickness but also conditions for a survey.

In the enclosure of synchrotron radiation experiments using a monochromatic beam, secondary radiation arises from two effects, namely fluorescence and scattering. While fluorescence can be regarded as isotropic, the angular dependence of Compton scattering has to be taken into account if the shielding shall not become unreasonably thick. The scope of this paper is to clarify how the different factors starting from the spectral properties of the source and the attenuation coefficient of the shielding, over the spectral and angular distribution of the scattered radiation and the geometry of the experiment influence the thickness of lead required to keep the dose rate outside the enclosure below the desired threshold.