A novel polystyrene-based scintillator production process involving additive manufacturing

Abstract

Plastic scintillator detectors are widely used in particle physics thanks to the very good particle identification, tracking capabilities and time resolution. However, new experimental challenges and the need for enhanced performance require the construction of detector geometries that are complicated using the current production techniques. In this article we propose a new production technique based on additive manufacturing that aims to 3D print polystyrene-based scintillator. The production process and the results of the scintillation light output measurement of the 3D-printed scintillator are reported.

Demonstrating a single-block 3D-segmented plastic-scintillator detector

“…Such design would also be mechanically stronger than some million independent cubes. This could potentially be achieved with additive manufacturing, where a matrix of plastic scintillator cubes is 3D printed [22]. However, more R&D is necessary in order to make 3D printing of plastic scintillator sufficiently performant to build a large particle detector.…”

Polystyrene-based scintillator production process involving additive manufacturing

“…The first demonstration of the feasibility of 3D printing polystyrene-based scintillator with the FDM technique was obtained with performances similar to those of plastic scintillators produced with traditional techniques, such as cast or extrusion methods, as detailed in Reference [4]. This study represents a proof-of-concept for the production of plastic scintillator process involving AM techniques.…”

Additive manufacturing plastic scintillator

“…The optimal composition of the scintillating filament was obtained to be polystyrene doped with 2% by weight of p-terphenyl (pTP) and 0.05% by weight of 2,2-p-phenilene-bis(5-pheniloxazole) (POPOP) and an addition of 5% by weight of byphenil used as plasticiser to make the filament less brittle and overcome the challange in the FDM filament production [4]. This formula does not require to invent a new chemical composition, since the polystyrene is one of the most common polymers used in scintillator materials.…”

“…The obtained results assessed the feasibility of 3D printing polystyrene-based scintillator with the FDM technique with performances similar to those of plastic scintillator produced with traditional techniques, such as cast or extrusion methods, as seen in Figure 1. The details can be found in elsewhere [4].…”