Radiation damage in scintillator detector chemical compounds. A new approach using PPO-toluene liquid scintillator solution as a model

The radiation damage effect was evaluated in the PPO-toluene liquid scintillator solution. Samples containing PPO (1% w/v) diluted in toluene were prepared and irradiated at different doses, using a /sup 60/Co irradiator at 6.46 kGy.h/sup -1/. The radiation effect on the transmittance, light output and chemical modification in the PPO were evaluated before and after irradiation. The loss in transmittance at 360 nm decayed exponentially with the dose. The light output decreased as the radiation dose increased. The PPO degraded bi-exponentially with the dose, while the PPO degradation products, such as benzoic acid, benzamide and benzyl alcohol, increased with the dose.