Studies in the radiation resistance of plastic scintillators: review and prospects

With the planned construction of high-luminosity hadron colliders, the SSC (Superconducting Supercollider) and LHC (Large Hadron Collider), the issue of radiation resistance of detector components has arisen as a priority item. The radiation resistance of organic scintillators is discussed, with the dual goals of presenting a review of the problem and pointing the way to possible solutions. It is concluded that progress in producing sufficiently radiation-hard organic scintillators has been significant, but there remain many important details to be investigated. It is feasible that an organic scintillator may be produced within the next few years with a performance specification of 100 Mrad