Linear/nonlinear optical, elastic-mechanical properties, and radiation buildup factors of boro-bariofluoride glasses

Linear/nonlinear optical, elastic-mechanical properties, and gamma-ray buildup factors of 30BaF–15CaO–15NaO–(40-x)BO–xNiO: x = 0–1.5 mol% in steps of 0.3 mol% glasses were investigated. Both molar refractivity (R) and molar polarizability (α) were reduced, while refractive loss (R) and optical transmission (T) were in inverse trends with the improvement of NiO content in glass network. The optical susceptibility (χ) and nonlinear refractive index (n2optical) having the same trend. These results may be due to the increasing in the non-bridging oxygen’s (NBOs) in glass networks. Values of Poisson’s ratio (σ) were ranged between 0.414 and 0.409. Young’s modulus values were calculated to be between 33.58 and 36.09 GPa. The micro-hardness (H) was found to increase from 20.1 to 21.4 MPa as the molar fraction of NiO is increased in the glassy network. The energy absorption (EABF) and exposure (EBF) buildup factors are increasing with the mean free path (MFP) increases as radiation ray is penetrating the sample. The ratio of EBF (normalized with respect to EBF) for sample with NiO = 0.9 mol% were 1.0: 10: 10: 10: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0 for MPF = 40-1, respectively. In addition, the EABF and EBF values are enhanced as the molar fraction of NiO increased. Therefore, the addition of NiO to the glass network makes it more valuable in shielding performance.