Investigation of the radiation Shielding Behavior of Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline solar cell Using experimental, Geant4 Simulation Code and WinXCOM Database

Abstract

Abstract This study focuses on the radiation shielding characteristics of monocrystalline and polycrystalline Si solar cells. The linear attenuation coefficient (µ) for both cell types has been measured. By measuring the cell density, the mass attenuation coefficient (µ/ρ) has been calculated. The photon absorption capacity of polycrystalline solar cells is detected to be higher than that of monocrystalline solar ones. Lattice disordering and grain-boundary defects may enhance gamma absorption. Theoretical calculations have been carried out using Win X-Com and GEANT4 code computer programs at various photon energies ranging from 80 to 2614 keV. A great agreement was found with the experimental results at all energies. Some shielding parameters based on the measured attenuation coefficient such as the effective atomic number (Zeff), the effective electron density (Nel), half value layer (HVL), and mean free path (MFP) have been calculated at different energies. Polycrystalline solar cells were found to have better shielding properties than monocrystalline cells since they have lower MFP values. Macroscopic effective removal cross sections (ΣR) for fast neutrons have been also calculated by applying the win X-com software. Polycrystalline solar cells have a higher ΣR value than monocrystalline cells. We can conclude that, in addition to energy conversion, photovoltaic systems are superior shielding materials for both gamma rays and neutrons.