Accelerator-Based Tests of Shielding Effectiveness of Different Materials and Multilayers using High-Energy Light and Heavy Ions

Fe. The results are presented in terms of Bragg curves and dose reduction per unit area density. To isolate the shielding effectiveness only due to nuclear fragmentation, a correction for the energy loss in the material is also considered. These findings indicate that the best shield is lithium hydride, which performs even better than polyethylene. However, the technical feasibility of shielding needs to be investigated. The classification of all materials in terms of shielding effectiveness is not influenced by the ion species, but the value changes dramatically depending on the beam energy. The output of this investigation represents a useful database for benchmarking Monte Carlo and deterministic transport codes used for space radiation transport calculations. These findings also contribute to recommendations for optimizing the design of space vessels and habitats in different radiation environments.