Energy calibration of plastic scintillators for low energy electrons by using Compton scatterings of γ rays

An energy calibration of plastic scintillators for electrons in the energy region 0.5–3 MeV is shown to be made by means of Compton scatterings of γ-rays. The shape of the Compton spectrum was analytically derived and the availability of the shape function was tested by fitting the simulated spectrum. The method to derive the energy and energy resolution at the Compton edge of the γ-ray is described.