A plastic scintillator with enhanced Alpha-/Beta- PSD. Part I: Rationale and preparation
Résumé
Recent developments in the field of plastic scintillator modifications are mainly focused on the Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD) of fast neutrons from gamma rays. However, this PSD feature should also be effective for other particles showing different dE/dx values. In this context, we have designed and prepared a plastic scintillator that was originally purposed for n/γ discrimination, but was also used for alpha/beta PSD as well. This scintillator displayed tremendous capabilities. This first part of this presentation will show the rationale underneath the PSD in plastics and how to achieve it from material design. The synthesis will be explained, followed by photophysical and nuclear characterization. Then the second part will present the characterization for radon measurement.