Radiation stability of nanocomposite scintillators

TL;DR

This study investigates the radiation stability of nanocomposite scintillators made from inorganic nanocrystals in organic matrices, focusing on their optical properties under various radiation types and doses.

Contribution

It provides new insights into how nanocomposite scintillators respond to radiation, highlighting the effects of different fillings and the importance of systematic stability assessments.

Findings

Bright burn effect observed at lower doses

Radiation damage linked to radicals in polystyrene matrix

Damage decreases with increased ZnO:Ga filling

Abstract

Radiation hardness of scintillating nanocomposites consisting of inorganic scintillating nanocrystalline powders dispersed in organic matrices was studied under electron, X-ray and {\gamma}-ray irradiation. Samples including pure press-compacted pellets of powder ZnO:Ga and YSO:Ce, and the nanocomposites of powder ZnO:Ga and YSO:Ce embedded in polystyrene matrix with different fillings were investigated. Effects of radiation on radioluminescence and other optical properties of studied materials were evaluated. Bright burn effect related to nanocrystalline powder scintillators was observed at lower doses. Radiation damage in nanocomposite materials is related to the formation of radicals in polystyrene matrix. Extent of radiation damage decreases with ZnO:Ga filling. Presented results show the importance of systematic and complex study of the radiation stability of composite scintillators.