Radiation damage in plastic scintillators

Summary form only given, as follows. Radiation damage in 408 and 412 plastic scintillators and two new plastic fibers has been studied by measuring, in the BNL (Brookhaven National Laboratory) radiation facility, the scintillation output during irradiation with /sup 60/Co gamma rays at room temperature. In all studies the luminescence intensity changes, with dose, in three stages. Initially the intensity increases or decreases very slowly, it goes through a broad maximum or inflection point, and finally all samples decrease monotonically with dose. The spectra do not change during irradiation. Analysis shows that these changes can be explained by assuming that some luminescence centers are created from initially present precursor centers and that the luminescence centers can be destroyed by radiation. To obtain damage data on these scintillators for total dose and dose rate situations expected in SSC (Superconducting Super Collider) RHIC (Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider), etc., these studies are being repeated over the dose rate range of the radiation facility.<>