Measurement of attenuation coefficient, effective atomic number and electron density of oxides of lanthanides by using simplified ATM-method

The linear and mass attenuation coefficient of non-uniform thick samples of oxides of lanthanide (Pr6O11, Nd2O3, Gd2O3, Tb4O7, Ho2O3 and Er2O3) has been measured by gamma ray photons of energy 59.54 keV obtained from 100 mCi radioactive source of 241Am. Advanced Two Media (ATM) methods Gupta et al. (2013) is simplified by considering air as first medium and metallic foil as second medium. In the present measurements this consideration simplifies the mathematical complexities and laboratory work to find the attenuation coefficients of non-uniform thick samples. The values of attenuation coefficient were then used to calculate effective atomic numbers (Zeff), interaction cross-section (σ) and effective electron densities (Neff) of lanthanide oxides. The method is validated by measuring linear/mass attenuation coefficient and other parameters for Mo, Ag, Sn, W and Pb of uniform thickness. The measured results are compared with the theoretical values from WinXcom Gerward et al. (2001). It is found that measured values are in agreement within 2% of theoretical results. The measurement of linear attenuation coefficient, effective atomic numbers (Zeff), interaction cross-section and effective electron densities (Neff) enhances the understanding of material characteristics. Presently studied materials i.e. oxides of Lanthanide are widely used as glass colouring agent and in electronic sensing devices.