Optimization of the Composition of Toluene-Based Liquid Scintillator

Abstract

Scintillators in general and organic liquid scintillator specifically are widely used as a medium for the detection of charged particles for numerous applications in science, medicine, engineering, and other areas. The composition of the scintillator affects not only its direct performance characteristics, but also the overall cost. Optimization of this composition provides the ability to design particle detectors with an optimized light yield and emission spectra of the detection medium while optimizing the expenses at the same time. This article describes work on toluene-based liquid scintillator component optimization, where PPO is used as a fluor and POPOP as a shifter. The light yield vs. concentration and the changes in the output spectra will be presented. The empirical fit of the output spectrum using the measured contributions of the components is discussed. Further plans include the light attenuation measurements for different compositions.