Radiation protective windows for industrial and medical applications: Whole body and human organs dose estimation

Abstract

This study reports the development and evaluation of Bi2O3 doped soda-lime-silicate glass systems (B1-B4) as potential transparent radiation shielding materials. The physical and optical properties of the glasses were characterized through experimental measurements. The total mass attenuation coefficients ) were obtained experimentally using the Compton scattering technique and compared with theoretical values and simulations from WinXCom and the PHITS Monte Carlo methods, including X-ray shielding simulations in which the absorption spectrum was modeled using the PHITS program. The results found that increasing Bi2O3 content enhanced the density, refractive index, , effective atomic number (Zeff), and electron density (Neff), while reducing the half-value layer (HVL), confirming improved attenuation capacity and shielding performance. Energy absorption and exposure buildup factors (EABF and EBF) were also analyzed, showing that higher Bi2O3 concentration effectively minimized scattered photon buildup. Monte Carlo simulations (PHITS) validated the shielding capability, with the B1 sample reducing organ doses for example, a 12.96% reduction in the ascending colon. Among all compositions, B1 demonstrated the most balanced between radiation protection and optical transmittance and was the only sample successfully fabricated into a large-scale glass panel. As a result, B1 is a viable lead-free alternative for radiation shielding windows in medical and industrial settings, combining effectiveness, transparency, and manufacturability.