Exclusive attributes of undoped poly (ethylene terephthalate) for alpha particle detection. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakamura, Hidehito; Sato, Nobuhiro; Kitamura, Hisashi; Maki, Daisuke; Shirakawa, Yoshiyuki; Takahashi, Sentaro
• Is Part Of: Radiation measurements. Volume 92(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 54
• Page End: 58
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Poly (ethylene terephthalate) -- Aromatic ring polymer -- Undoped scintillation material -- Basic property -- Alpha particle detection; Nuclear emulsions -- Periodicals; Particle tracks (Nuclear physics) -- Periodicals; Thermoluminescence -- Periodicals; Cosmic rays -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation Monitoring -- Periodicals; Émulsions nucléaires -- Périodiques; Particules (Physique nucléaire) -- Traces -- Périodiques; Thermoluminescence -- Périodiques; Rayonnement cosmique -- Périodiques; Radiométrie -- Périodiques; 539.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2016.06.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4487

Abstract

Abstract: Poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is available worldwide and has a broad range of applications. However, its basic properties as a scintillation material that is undoped with fluorescent guest molecules are not completely known. Here, we optically characterise undoped PET for use in radiation detection. Light absorption is primarily below 350 nm, with an emission maximum at 385 nm. An effective refractive index, determined from the emission spectrum and the wavelength dependence of the refractive index, is 1.62, which is greater than that for the sodium D line ( N D = 1.57). The density of PET is 1.33 g/cm 3, and its stopping power for 1-MeV electrons is 1.72 MeV cm 2 /g. Distinct peaks generated by alpha particles from 210 Pb and 241 Am radioactive sources appear in PET light-yield distributions. The PET response to 5-6-MeV alpha particles is approximately one-eighth that for electrons. These results demonstrate that undoped PET has special attributes for alpha particle detection. This knowledge will enable better performance of radiation equipment based on PET and its blends with other aromatic ring polymers. Highlights: Undoped PET has special attributes for alpha particle detection. The absorption spectrum lies below 350 nm, while the emission maximum is 385 nm. The effective refractive index is 1.62, which is greater than that for the sodium D line ( N D = 1.57). The light-yield distributions induced by alpha particles have distinct peaks. The response to 5-6-MeV alpha particles is approximately 1/8 times that for electrons