Shielding effectiveness of different polymers and low-density hydrides in a combined radiation shield for crewed interplanetary space missions

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) England : 1993), 2023-04, Vol.205, p.110706, Article 110706
• Main Authors: Al Zaman, Md Abdullah, Monira, Nusrath Jahan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Geant4; Shielding properties; Space mission; SRIM; Superconductivity
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2022.110706

Exposure to Galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and solar particle events (SPE) has been identified as one of the critical barriers for long term space missions that impose both immediate and delayed health hazards on the astronauts. There are two types of protective shields available namely active and passive shields, and combining these two shields can be a useful strategy. The study aims to present the effectiveness of a combined radiation shield containing an active toroidal shield with a layer of passive shield made of different polymers or low-density hydrides. The active shield is capable of deflecting protons (Z  1) it can deflect up to 200 MeV/n and 175MeV/n respectively. The shielding effectiveness of polymers and hydrides with different thicknesses was investigated with Monte Carlo simulations performed by means of Geant4/MULASSIS. The shielding properties were studied using proton, alpha, and Fe ions with energies of 1 GeV/n. Nuclear stopping power and Fast Neutron Removal Cross Section (FNRCS) were calculated using SRIM and PHY-X/PSD. For the 20 gm/cm2 thick layer made of polymers, the reduction of dose equivalent for proton, alpha, and Fe ion of 1GeV/n are 5.44%, 54.34%, and 63.76% respectively and in the case of Low-density Hydrides with the same dimension, the rates are 4.12%, 55.3%, and 76.88%. Low-density hydrides demonstrated better radiation shielding capability than the polymers. The results are compared with OLTARIS for GCR spectra of 2010 solar minimum. The downsides of this type of shield are also briefly covered. •Coupling of active and passive shield (combined radiation shield).•Different polymers and low density hydrides within a combined radiation shield.•Calculated stopping power, fast neutron removal cross section and dose equivalent.•Low density hydrides demonstrated greater radiation shielding capabilities.