Nonlinear optical, optical limiting and radiation shielding features of Eu3+ activated borate glasses

•Nonlinear optical and optical limiting properties of glasses were studied at 532 nm.•The radiation shielding characteristics were evaluated between 0.122 and 1.458 MeV.•The high Eu3+ containing glass is beneficial as the power optical limiter.•The shielding data suggest the high Eu3+ containing glass is the best attenuator.