X-ray detection capability of bismuth-loaded plastic scintillators

Abstract

We evaluated the high-energy X-ray detection capabilities of Bi-loaded plastic scintillators. The detection efficiency for 67.4 keV X-rays was successfully increased by increasing the Bi concentration. The detection efficiency of a plastic scintillator loaded with 10 wt % Bi was comparable to that of a commercially available plastic scintillator loaded with 5 wt % Pb, NE-142. A subnanosecond time resolution was achieved, and no long scintillation component appeared with Bi loading. These results indicate that Bi loading is an effective method of enhancing the detection efficiency for high-energy X-rays while preserving the timing properties of plastic scintillators.

Plastic scintillators modifications for a selective radiation detection

“…Triphenyl bismuth, triaryl [10,11] and tricarboxyl bismuth complexes [10,12] have been reported. With such loading, the apparition of the photoelectric peak was observed for high energy X-rays and gamma below 200 keV, as well as in synchrotron conditions [13] by several groups around the world. PE Peak was also claimed to be observable with a 137 Cs source (662 keV) [12].…”

Pseudo-gamma Spectrometry in Plastic Scintillators

“…Later on, a 155 cm 3 sized sample containing 5 wt% of bismuth was reported by the same group. A good trend was observed for the full absorption of 67.4 keV X-rays [24]; however, no full energy peak was observed when the scintillator was irradiated with 137 Cs gamma source [25].…”

Photoluminescence and scintillation characteristics of Bi-loaded PVK-based plastic scintillators for the high counting-rate measurement of high-energy X-rays

“…Several studies have explored the addition of heavy metals to enhance the high-energy photon detection efficiency of plastic scintillators. Heavy metals, such as Zr, 16,17 Sn, 18,19 Hf, [20][21][22] Pb, 19,23,24 and Bi, [25][26][27][28][29][30] have been added to host polymers, such as polystyrene (PS), polyvinyltoluene (PVT), and poly(9-vinylcarbazole) (PVK). 31,32 Presently, several suppliers offer commercial plastic scintillators loaded with 1-7 wt% Pb: Eljen Technology, OKEN, Saint-Gobain, or IHEP (EJ-256, NE142, BC-452, SC-223, SC-322), which are available for high-energy photon detection.…”

“…nanoparticles, 28 or as constituents or inorganic compounds 27 and organometallic species. 29,30 In previous studies, triphenylbismuth (BiPh 3 ) was incorporated into PS-based plastic scintillators to enhance their high-energy photon detection efficiency. 29,30 Although the detection efficiency was successfully enhanced, an undesirable reduction in light yield was observed, which was directly correlated with the concentration of Bi.…”