Progress in the design of a radiation-hard plastic scintillator

The authors present an update on research started three years ago with the goal of developing plastic scintillators able to endure annual doses of 10/sup 4/ to 10/sup 5/ Gy or more. Attention is given to radiation damage to plastic scintillators, techniques to improve radiation resistance (wavelength shifting and radiation-tolerant plastic bases), and other issues. It is concluded that, although the studies of scintillators must continue in order to define the limits of current capabilities, there is a need to move beyond the study of 'naked' scintillators (whether as plates or optical fibres) and to study them 'dressed' within a detector system.<
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