Abstract:
A plastic scintillator includes a polymer matrix, an aliphatic additive present in the polymer matrix in an effective amount to impart fog resistance to the plastic scintillator, and at least one fluorescent dye in the polymer matrix, the dye being effective to provide scintillation upon exposure to radiation. The effective amount of the aliphatic additive is in a range of greater than 0 weight percent up to 5 weight percent relative to the total weight of the plastic scintillator. Moreover, the aliphatic additive has a structure comprising up to 300 repeat units.
Abstract:
Scintillating plastics resistant to crazing and fogging, methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The scintillating plastics include: one or more primary polymers present in an amount ranging from about 40 wt % to about 95 wt %; one or more secondary polymers present in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 60 wt %; and one or more fluors present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt %. Methods of making such plastics include: creating a homogenous mixture of precursor materials including primary polymer, secondary polymer, and fluor in the amounts set forth above; and polymerizing the homogenous mixture. Methods of using such plastics include: exposing the scintillating plastic to one or more extreme environmental conditions for a predetermined amount of time without generating crazing or fogging within the scintillating plastic. Various additional features and specific embodiments of these inventive concepts are also disclosed.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a scintillator material includes a polymer matrix; and a primary dye in the polymer matrix, the primary dye being a fluorescent dye, the primary dye being present in an amount of 5 wt % or more; wherein the scintillator material exhibits an optical response signature for neutrons that is different than an optical response signature for gamma rays. In another embodiment, a scintillator material includes a polymer matrix comprising at least one of: polyvinyl xylene (PVX); polyvinyl diphenyl; and polyvinyl tetrahydronaphthalene; and a primary dye in the polymer matrix, the primary dye being a fluorescent dye, the primary dye being present in an amount greater than 10 wt %. A total loading of dye in the scintillator material is sufficient to cause the scintillator material to exhibit a pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) figure of merit (FOM) of about at least 2.0.
Abstract:
A lithium (Li)-containing compound is a lipophilic Li salt, and each molecule of the lipophilic Li salt has at least one lipophilic endgroup. In addition, a scintillator material includes an organic liquid and a lipophilic Li salt, where the lipophilic Li salt is solubilized in the organic liquid. The scintillator material includes at least one fluorescent dye, the dye being effective to provide scintillation upon exposure to radiation. The scintillator material exhibits an optical response signature for thermal neutrons that is different than an optical response signature for fast neutrons.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a scintillator material includes a polymer matrix; and a primary dye in the polymer matrix, the primary dye being a fluorescent dye, the primary dye being present in an amount of 5 wt % or more; wherein the scintillator material exhibits an optical response signature for neutrons that is different than an optical response signature for gamma rays. In another embodiment, a scintillator material includes a polymer matrix comprising at least one of: polyvinyl xylene (PVX); polyvinyl diphenyl; and polyvinyl tetrahydronaphthalene; and a primary dye in the polymer matrix, the primary dye being a fluorescent dye, the primary dye being present in an amount greater than 10 wt %. A total loading of dye in the scintillator material is sufficient to cause the scintillator material to exhibit a pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) figure of merit (FOM) of about at least 2.0.
Abstract:
Scintillating plastics resistant to crazing and fogging, methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The scintillating plastics include: one or more primary polymers present in an amount ranging from about 40 wt % to about 95 wt %; one or more secondary polymers present in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 60 wt %; and one or more fluors present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt %. Methods of making such plastics include: creating a homogenous mixture of precursor materials including primary polymer, secondary polymer, and fluor in the amounts set forth above; and polymerizing the homogenous mixture. Methods of using such plastics include: exposing the scintillating plastic to one or more extreme environmental conditions for a predetermined amount of time without generating crazing or fogging within the scintillating plastic. Various additional features and specific embodiments of these inventive concepts are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A scintillator material includes a polymer matrix, a primary dye in the polymer matrix, the primary dye being a fluorescent dye; a secondary dye, and a Li-containing compound in the polymer matrix, where the Li-containing compound is a Li salt of a short-chain aliphatic acid. In addition, the scintillator material exhibits an optical response signature for thermal neutrons that is different than an optical response signature for fast neutrons.
Abstract:
A scintillator material includes a polymer matrix, a primary dye in the polymer matrix, the primary dye being a fluorescent dye; a secondary dye, and a Li-containing compound in the polymer matrix, where the Li-containing compound is a Li salt of a short-chain aliphatic acid. In addition, the scintillator material exhibits an optical response signature for thermal neutrons that is different than an optical response signature for fast neutrons.
Abstract:
A plastic scintillator includes a polymer matrix, an aliphatic additive present in the polymer matrix in an effective amount to impart fog resistance to the plastic scintillator, and at least one fluorescent dye in the polymer matrix, the dye being effective to provide scintillation upon exposure to radiation. The effective amount of the aliphatic additive is in a range of greater than 0 weight percent up to 5 weight percent relative to the total weight of the plastic scintillator. Moreover, the aliphatic additive has a structure comprising up to 300 repeat units.
Abstract:
A mixed organic crystal according to one embodiment includes a single mixed crystal having two compounds with different bandgap energies, the organic crystal having a physical property of exhibiting a signal response signature for neutrons from a radioactive source, wherein the signal response signature does not include a significantly-delayed luminescence characteristic of neutrons interacting with the organic crystal relative to a luminescence characteristic of gamma rays interacting with the organic crystal. According to one embodiment, an organic crystal includes bibenzyl and stilbene or a stilbene derivative, the organic crystal having a physical property of exhibiting a signal response signature for neutrons from a radioactive source.