Experimental and theoretical investigations of the γ-rays shielding performance of rock samples from Najran region.

• The γ-rays shielding performance of ten rock samples are studied. • The EDX analysis were performed for compositional analysis. • The attenuation parameters were calculated theoretically as well. • The shielding performance were found better at low energy γ-rays. Several different rock samples were collected from different regions of Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to evaluate their shielding performance for γ-rays. The elemental analysis of these samples shows that these samples belong to calcite, silicate and ferrite family. These samples have density in the range of 2.50 ∼ 2.74 g/cm3. The radiation shielding performance of these samples were measured using a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector under γ-rays irradiation from 137Cs, 241Am, and 60Co sources. The linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), Half value layer (HVL), tenth value layer (TVL), mean free path (MFP), atomic cross section (ACS), and electronic cross section (ECS) were calculated experimentally and theoretically. The radiation shielding performance of these local rock samples are comparable with the previously studied rock samples from different regions of the world. This evaluation has shown that these low cost, locally available rocks can be used for low energy γ-rays shielding in different fields and preparation of concrete to be used as shielding material for building construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]