###### Abstract  
In the current study, the effects of silver (Ag) additive on the radiation shielding efficiency of BiPbSrCaCuO superconducting ceramics was calculated using the EGS4 code and discussed theoretically by comparison with XCOM data. The mass attenuation coefficients (\(\mu/\rho\)) for BiPbSrCaCuO superconductor ceramics and their contents were investigated theoretically (WinXcom and EGS4) at gamma-ray energies ranging from 95.5 to 1332 keV. The theoretical values were computed in the energy range from 1 keV to 100 MeV using the WinXcom program. Then, using the mass attenuation coefficients, some shielding parameters were determined, such as the mean free path (MFP), the half value layer (HVL), the effective atomic number (Zeff), the radiation protection efficiency (RPE), the macroscopic fast neutron removal cross-sections (\(\Sigma\)R, cm\({}^{-1}\)) and the gamma-ray kerna coefficients (\(k_{\gamma}\)). Theoretically, the results obtained with XCOM and EGS-4 were found to be in good agreement. The radiation shielding efficiency (RPE), neutron removal cross-section (\(\Sigma\)R, cm\({}^{-1}\)), maximum and semi-valent layer (HVL), and mean free path (MFP) values were found to be smaller for BiPbSrCaCuO superconducting ceramics as the silver (Ag) contribution was increased. Data from this study can guide further research and development of shielding materials for gamma-ray and neutron shielding. superconductors; mass attenuation coefficient; \(\gamma\)-kerna coefficient; EGS4 code +
Footnote †: journal: Applied  
or both. It depends on the energy of the gamma rays and the properties of the material. For a given material, the mass attenuation coefficient generally decreases as the energy of the gamma rays increases, because higher-energy gamma rays are less likely to be absorbed or scattered by the atoms in the material. The MAC is a key parameter used to calculate the fraction of gamma rays that penetrate a material and the fraction that are absorbed or scattered. The MAC depends on the energy of the incident radiation and the composition of the material. Different materials have different MAC values, and the MAC can vary significantly for different types of radiation (e.g., X-rays, gamma rays) and energy ranges. The MAC is an important parameter in various fields, including radiation protection, medical imaging, industrial radiography, and material characterization. It is used to calculate the amount of radiation absorbed or transmitted through a material, which is crucial for determining radiation doses, optimizing imaging techniques, and ensuring safety in various applications. By understanding the behavior of superconductors in response to gamma-ray radiation and using different values for the MAC (\(\mu/\rho\)), \(Z_{\text{eff}}\), RPE, and gamma-ray k(k\(\gamma\)) coefficient, we will be more resistant to gamma-ray radiation, and better high-energy particle physics experiments on superconductors with good performance can be designed [4]. The XCOM software was developed by [PERSON] and [PERSON] as a tool for calculating the mass attenuation coefficients and photon cross-sections for elements, compounds, and mixtures over a wide range of energies, from 1 keV to 100 GeV [5]. To make the software more accessible and user-friendly, [PERSON] et al. developed a modified version of XCOM known as WinXCOM [6]. Monte Carlo simulation is a computational technique that uses random sampling to model and analyze complex systems or processes. It is particularly useful when analytical solutions are difficult or impossible to obtain. Monte Carlo simulation is an important tool used in various fields, including those previously mentioned such as nuclear physics, nuclear engineering, medical physics, radiation safety management, and reactor design. By simulating the behavior of gamma rays as they pass through materials, Monte Carlo methods were used to calculate mass attenuation coefficients and other parameters important to understanding gamma-ray interactions [7; 8; 9; 10].