Gamma-ray attenuator and gamma-ray shield for gamma-ray spectroscopy

A gamma-ray attenuator comprising:

• a sleeve having a wall, a distal end, and a proximal end, wherein the distal end being closed and the proximal end forming an opening;
• a copper insert operable to be installed within the opening, wherein the copper insert has a substantially uniform thickness, measured along an axial direction of the sleeve;
• a tin insert substantially abutting the copper insert on a side of the copper insert opposite the sleeve, wherein the tin insert has a substantially uniform thickness, measured along an axial direction of the sleeve;
• a tungsten insert substantially abutting the tin insert, wherein the tungsten insert has a substantially uniform thickness or a thickness that is thinner at an edge than at a midpoint, measured along an axial direction of the cylindrical sleeve;
• wherein the copper insert, the tin insert, and the tungsten insert each have at least one through hole formed therethrough and are operable to be aligned with each other.