Characterization of modern plastic scintillators containing large stokes-shift luminophores

Abstract

The development, preparation, and properties of new plastic scintillators, based on polyvinyl toluene matrix EJ-290 and only one luminophore with a large Stokes shift, are addressed. The primary luminophores tested were 2-(1-naphthyl)-5-phenyloxazole, 1-phenyl-3-mesityl-2-pyrazoline, and 2,5-bis(5-tert-butyl-benzoxazol-2-yl)thiophene. These were subsequently compared with the commercially used luminophores 2,5-diphenyloxazole and p-terphenyl in combination with wavelength shifters (secondary luminophores) 1,4-bis(2-methylstyryl) benzene and 1,4-bis(5-phenyl-2-oxazolyl)benzene made from the same polyvinyl toluene matrix in the same dimensions. For plastic scintillators produced in this way, their detection properties, such as Compton edge and detection efficiency, were characterized.