Increasing the Light Collection Efficiency of Scintillation Counters

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1718530· OSTI ID:4687598

Ankenbrandt, C. M.; Lent, E. M.

A systematic study was made of methods of increasing the light collection efficiency of scintillation counters. Various reflectors, surface treatment of the scintillator, relative geometries of scintillator and photodiode, and light pipes were tried, using plastic scintillator cubes, 3 and 6 in. on a side, and right circular cylinders, 3 in. in diameter by 3 in. in length and 6 in. in diameter by 6 in. in length. The maximum factors by which light output could be increased, relative to a polished scintillator, were about 2.8 for 6-in. scintillators and 3.3 for 3-in. scintillators without the use of light pipes, and 5.0 for a 3-in. scintillator with light pipe. The fraction of light trapped in a right circular cylinder by total internal reflection is derived as a function of index of refraction, as are the percentages of light coming out the ends and sides of a cylinder. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Livermore
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-027703
• OSTI ID: 4687598
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 34; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics (AIP)
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CONFIGURATION
DIODES
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRON TUBES
INSTRUMENTS AND INSTRUMENTATION
LIGHT
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT
POLYMERS
REFLECTION
REFRACTION
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SEMICONDUCTORS
SURFACES