Characterization and calibration of large-volume PVT detectors by Backscatter Gating

PVT scintillators provide maximum gamma sensitivity at minimum cost. The low price makes PVT an attractive detector in spite of poor spectroscopic performance. In this context the paper introduces an inexpensive but very effective technique for characterizing and calibrating PVT detectors, called Backscatter Gating. This technique has been used for evaluating prototype detectors of FLIR Radiation's PVT-based STRIDE detection units, and for calibrating or linearizing the complete, commercial STRIDE DU 601.1 modules. Selected results are presented and discussed.