Organic Glass Based Plastic Scintillators for Nuclear Physics Detectors
The approach of the Phase I effort was to: (1) evaluate new plastic scintillator formulations with a “fluorophore first” approach to maximize light output and particle discrimination; and (2), evaluate an injection-mold process of the new formulations. Successful results were obtained on both goals. To conduct research on the injection molding objectives, OGS had to be combined with polymer in a way that produced an optically homogenous product and be supplied in a form factor suitable for incorporation into an injection molding process—pellets no larger than 5mm. The first formulation trials began by blending the components using the same process for preparing standard OGS, which involves heating under vacuum. This strategy produced scintillators with polymer chunks remaining unincorporated throughout the OGS, resulting in optically heterogeneous product. This result is not to be unexpected, what is known from the plastics industry is that compounding typically must be done with the combination of high temperature and high shear mixing. The industry accomplishes this task using twin screw extruders, which heat the components of the formulation as they mix in the high shear environment of two screws pressing solids along the shaft and squeezing out air. The filament that is extruded from the end is mechanically cut into pellets suitable for injection molding.
- Research Organization:
- Blueshift Optics LLC
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Nuclear Physics (NP)
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0022490
- OSTI ID:
- 1968892
- Type / Phase:
- SBIR (Phase I)
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-BSO-22490
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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