Quenching factor for low-energy nuclear recoils in a plastic scintillator
File(s)PhysRevC.85.065801.pdf (608.06 KB)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Plastic scintillators are widely used in industry, medicine, and scientific research, including nuclear and particle physics. Although one of their most common applications is in neutron detection, experimental data on their response to low-energy nuclear recoils are scarce. Here, the relative scintillation efficiency for neutron-induced nuclear recoils in a polystyrene-based plastic scintillator (UPS-923A) is presented, exploring recoil energies between 125 and 850 keV. Monte Carlo simulations, incorporating light collection efficiency and energy resolution effects, are used to generate neutron scattering spectra which are matched to observed distributions of scintillation signals to parameterize the energy-dependent quenching factor. At energies above 300 keV the dependence is reasonably described using the semiempirical formulation of Birks and a kB factor of (0.014±0.002) g MeV−1 cm−2 has been determined. Below that energy, the measured quenching factor falls more steeply than predicted by the Birks formalism.
Date Issued
2012-06-04
Date Acceptance
2012-06-04
Citation
Physical Review C, 2012, 85 (6)
ISSN
1089-490X
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review C
Volume
85
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
© 2012 American Physical Society
Sponsor
Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Grant Number
PP/E006841/1
ST/I000011/1
ST/I006137/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Nuclear
Physics
PHYSICS, NUCLEAR
DARK-MATTER
ZEPLIN-III
ORGANIC SCINTILLATORS
VETO DETECTOR
NEUTRONS
PROTONS
SEARCH
LIMITS
XENON
Nuclear & Particles Physics
0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle And Plasma Physics
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
065801