Arresting the Gamma Rays by using Materials from the Desert Environment

Abstract

Gamma photons have high energies, which range from a few tens of KeV to several hundred GeV. Their numerous applications in the medical and industrial fields are followed by great risks to living beings and the environment because of their high penetration capacity. Lead shielding (Pb 82) was the most widely used for this purpose, but its disadvantages (heavy, toxic and expensive) prevent it from being the best material. In this article, we will study the effectiveness of some local natural material (red clay) that is available and free in a desert environment (Adrar area, Sahara of Algeria) to attenuate gamma rays at different energies.