Onset of Fogging and Degradation in Polyvinyl Toluene-Based Scintillators

Journal Article · Thu May 21 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/tns.2020.2996535· OSTI ID:1657995

Rose, Jr., Paul B.  ^[1]; Okowita, Alex  ^[1]; Lance, Michael J.  ^[1]; Sword, Eric D.  ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Plastic-based gamma-ray detector materials such as polyvinyl toluene (PVT) occasionally suffer from loss of optical light transmission due to internal defects or “fogging” when exposed to some environmental conditions over time. Fogging results in reduced scintillation light propagated to the photomultiplier tube for collection. Investigations of the physical cause of these defects and their associated environmental conditions are ongoing. The goal of this work was to characterize the signs and effects of fogging over a simulated 22-year lifespan of the PVT in outdoor environments. Here, two potential mitigation methods were also evaluated, and one successfully mitigated the phenomena.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1657995
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Vol. 67, Issue 7; ISSN 0018-9499
• Publisher: IEEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
degradation
fogging
polyvinyl toluene (PVT)
temperature cycling.