R&D: Radiation Hardness of Plastic Scintillating Materials for Scintillator Calorimeters

In the quest to advance the field of high-energy physics, future experiments demand particle detectors that meet specific key factors on the roadmap for their success. In the case of scintillator-based calorimeters or other detectors using scintillators, the requirements are: high light yield, fast signals, dual readout capability, high granularity, and radiation hardness. These criteria provide the foundation for breakthroughs in particle physics, necessitating the exploration of innovative scintillator materials. Currently, one of the most cost-effective options for particle detection is plastic scintillators.

These materials possess the unique property of producing scintillation, detectable photons in the visible part of the light spectrum, upon interaction with ionizing radiation or charged particles. Additionally, they offer an exceptionally rapid light signal and a high light response. However, scintillator plastics undergo natural material degradation, particularly in radiation-rich environments. Hence, identifying materials with enhanced radiation resistance is crucial for advancing high-energy physics experiments.

Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) emerge as promising candidates for the development of new scintillator materials. Preliminary studies suggest that PET exhibits superior radiation resistance, while PEN demonstrates a higher light response compared to PET. Significantly, both PEN and PET scintillate without the need for dopants. This context underscores the importance of investigating the feasibility of PEN/PET as fundamental materials for innovative scintillator plastics, aligning seamlessly with the demands of future high-energy physics experiments.

The primary objectives of this research project are develop cost efficient plastic scintillators with competitive characteristics to the existing ones, in terms of light yield and transparency and develop competitive radiation hard scintillators This encompasses the development and characterization of new scintillating plastics, with initial focus on PEN and PET as well as characterisation of commertial ones (for comparison). Furthermore, we aim to assess the materials' response to radiation exposure. Modeling the effects of various dose rates on the materials' radiation hardness will also be a significant aspect of our study.

This research project is developed in collaboration with the Institute of Polymers and Composites (IPC) from the University of Minho, who can produce plastic scintillators with different compositions. In this presentation, we will show preliminary results regarding the production and characterization of these samples, encompassing aspects such as light response, emission spectra, and transmittance spectra. Additionally, we will describe the irradiation planning for the samples and the simulation developed for comparing the light response between the samples and reference measurements.