Luxium Solutions Plastic Scintillator Detectors

Plastic scintillator detectors consist of a solid solution of organic scintillating molecules in a polymerized solvent. They are easily cast into a variety of shapes and sizes making them an extremely useful form of scintillator. Cast sheets are the most common form with sheets being cut into smaller detectors where necessary. Other forms such as rods, blocks and custom shapes are also possible. Cast faces are usually untouched and edges can be diamond milled for an enhanced finish.

Plastic scintillators can be purchased by themselves or as part of completed detector assemblies incorporating light guides, photomultiplier tubes, special radiation entrance windows, light-tight wrapping, and electronics

Luxium Solutions (previously Saint Gobain Crystals) are the premier scintillation detection manufacture for ionizing radiation detection and provide high quality scintillation materials with superior resolution and advanced photo-sensor integration. Their core technology is the manufacturer of high performance engineering materials to solve their customers’ unique challenges. Luxium Solutions and Mi-Net have been working together in the UK and Ireland for over 30 years.

Key Features

Typical plastic scintillator has maximum emission around 425nm
Relatively large light output, typically 25-30% of Nal(Tl)
Short decay time of around 2ns, therefore well suited for fast timing measurements
Sensitive to X-rays, gamma rays, fast neutrons and charged particles
Special formulations available for thermal neutron and improved X-ray efficiency
Can be cast in a variety of forms including sheet, rods, blocks and custom
Usually more cost effective compared to crystal scintillators

Plastic Scintillators Available

Scintillator	Light Output % Anthracene¹	Wavelength of Maximum Emission, nm	Decay Constant, ns	Bulk Light Attenuation Length, cm	Refractive Index	H:C Ratio	Loading Element % by weight	Density	Softening Point °C
BC-400	65	423	2.4	250	1.58	1.103		1.023	70
BC-404	68	408	1.8	160	1.58	1.107		1.023	70
BC-408	64	425	2.1	380	1.58	1.104		1.023	70
BC-412	60	434	3.3	400	1.58	1.104		1.023	70
BC-416	38	434	4.0	400	1.58	1.110		1.023	70
BC-418	67	391	1.4	100	1.58	1.100		1.023	70
BC-420	64	391	1.5	110	1.58	1.102		1.023	70
BC-422	55	370	1.6	8	1.58	1.102		1.023	70
BC-422Q	11	370	0.7	< 8	1.58	1.102	Benzephenone,0.5%*	1.023	70
BC-428	36	480	12.5	150	1.58	1.103		1.023	70
BC-430	45	580	16.8	NA	1.58	1.108		1.023	70
BC-440	60	434	3.3	400	1.58	1.104		1.032	99
BC-440M	60	434	3.3	380	1.58	1.104		1.039	100
BC-444	41	428	285	180	1.58	1.109		1.023	70
BC-452	48	424	2.1	150	1.58	1.134	Lead, 2%	1.050	60
BC-480	**	425	–	400	1.58	1.100		1.023	70
BC-482A	QE=.86	494	12.0	300	1.58	1.110		1.023	70
BC-490	55	425	2.3	NA	1.58	1.107		1.023	70
BC-498	65	423	2.4	NA	1.58	1.103		1.023	70

If you need a quote or would like more information on this product then please get in touch

Sizes Available

Standard Sizes
0.5 mm	± 0.1 mm	30 x 60 cm
1 mm	± 0.1 mm	30 x 60 cm
1.5 mm	± 0.25 mm	30 x 101 cm
2 mm	± 0.25 /- 0.3 mm	45 x 101 cm
3 mm	± 0.38 mm	63 x 101 cm
5 mm	+ 0.56 / – 0.46 mm	63 x 203 cm
6.4 mm	+ 0.64 / – 0.51 mm	63 x 203 cm
10 mm	± 0.51 mm	63 x 203 cm
12.7 mm	± 0.64 mm	63 x 203 cm
20 mm	± 0.73 mm	63 x 203 cm
25 mm	+ 0.76 / – 1 mm	63 x 203 cm
38 mm	± 0.76 mm	63 x 203 cm
50 mm	± 2 mm	63 x 203 cm
75 mm	± 2.5 mm	60 x 101 cm
100 mm	± 3.8 mm	60 x 101 cm
125 mm	± 6 mm	60 x 101 cm
150 mm	± 6 mm	60 x 101 cm

Large Cast Sheet Size Range
Thickness Range	Maximum Width	Maximum Length
1 – 5 cm	30 cm	450 cm
0.5 – 5 cm	45 cm	400 cm
0.5 – 5 cm	60 cm	300 cm
1 – 2.5 cm	100 cm	200 cm
1 – 3.8 cm	120 cm	120 cm

Finishes Available

Finish for 2 parallel large surfaces:

Best as cast surface finish is optically clear and quite flat. Sheet material is cast to thickness in between two glass sheets, so this results in a glass like polished surface.

Diamond milled cast faces is possible. The finish is flatter than as-cast, optically clear but not as clear as with as-cast. small tool marks may be visible under magnification.

Finish for edges:

Best diamond milled edges has an optically clear surface finish that is quite flat.

Rough or saw-cut edges has a rough finish that is not optically clear and so further processing by the user is recommended. This is the more cost effective option,

Assembly Options

Wrapped in reflector and light tight black vinyl, to Saint-Gobain standard tolerances
Light guides coupled to scintillator
Photomultiplier tubes – integrally mounted or demountable PMT and be designed to meet your specifications
Integrated electronics