Tin-Loaded Plastic Scintillator

• Gamma-ray Spectroscopy
• Dual Mode Detection
• Pulse Shape Discrimination

Standard plastic scintillators have poor gamma ray stopping efficiency and can only be used for gross gamma counting. However, RMD has demonstrated that by adding heavy metal organic compounds such as tin to a plastic scintillator, it is possible to improve photopeak efficiency and perform gamma-ray and fast neutron spectroscopy.

RMD has developed tin-loaded plastic scintillators that are capable of gamma-ray spectroscopy, as well as, pulse shape discrimination (PSD) between gamma and fast neutron events. The primary application is in nuclear non-proliferation and monitoring of special nuclear materials. Secondary applications include fast counting, as well as particle and nuclear physics research.

Our plastic scintillators are made with polystyrene, doped with PPO and tin organometallic complexes for enhancing gamma-ray sensitivity. Large plastic scintillators scaled to Ø 3”, loaded with up to 90% tin compound are fabricated at RMD.

Polymer Base: Polystyrene

Atomic Ratio, H/C*: 1.11:1

Tin Compound Loading: up to 90%

Density: 1.15 g/cc

Refractive Index*: 1.62

Light Transmission (%) at 440 nm: 97%

Wavelength of Maximum Emission: 440 nm

Decay Time Constant: 5 – 10 ns

Light Yield: 10,000±2,000 ph/MeV

Energy resolution at 662 keV: 10% PSD

Figure of Merit at 1 MeVee: ≥ 1.5

Tin Loaded Plastic Scintillator – Properties

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