SP101 Plastic Scintillators
SP101 Plastic Scintillator for Gamma, X-Ray and Radiation Monitoring
SP101 Plastic Scintillator is a blue-emitting polystyrene-based plastic scintillator used for gamma rays, X-rays and general ionizing radiation detection. It is suitable for large-area radiation monitoring systems, portable instruments, isotope gauges, high-energy physics counters and detector assemblies where low weight, fast response and custom geometry are important.
Compared with many inorganic scintillation crystals, SP101 can be produced in larger shapes and is easier to machine into plates, slices, blocks, bars, cylinders and rings. Its 423 nm emission peak matches many PMTs, SiPMs and silicon photodiodes used in radiation detection systems.
ATR Crystal supplies SP101 as raw scintillator material or as part of a complete detector assembly. Optical coupling to light guides, PMTs, SiPMs or photodiodes, reflector selection, edge polishing, encapsulation, mechanical housing and readout electronics can be reviewed according to your application requirements.
SP101 in Plastic Scintillator Selection
SP101 is a general-purpose blue-emitting plastic scintillator used for gamma-ray, X-ray and charged-particle detection. For comparisons involving SP101, EJ-200-equivalent materials and thin plastic scintillator sheets, read our plastic scintillator selection guide. For large-area atmospheric or cosmic-ray muon projects, see our plastic scintillator panel guide for cosmic-ray muon detection, covering panel thickness, surface treatment, wrapping, photosensor coupling and RFQ requirements.
Applications of SP101 Plastic Scintillators
Portal radioactivity detection systems
Isotope gauges and industrial radiation instruments
Portable radioactive detection instruments
Regional radiation monitoring systems
High-energy physics counters and large-area panels
Custom plastic scintillator detector assemblies
Advantages of SP101 Plastic Scintillator
- Cost-effective large-area detectionSP101 is suitable for large panels and detector geometries where crystal scintillators may be too costly or difficult to scale.
- Fast responseThe 0.9 ns rise time and 2.4 ns decay time support fast counting and timing-sensitive radiation monitoring.
- Useful light outputThe listed light output is 64% relative to anthracene, with 423 nm blue emission for common detector sensors.
- No hygroscopySP101 is not hygroscopic, which simplifies handling compared with hygroscopic crystals such as NaI(Tl).
- Machinable geometryPlates, slices, blocks, bars, cylinders, rings and drawing-defined parts can be reviewed.
- Detector integration optionsSP101 can be supplied with light guides, PMTs, SiPMs, photodiodes, reflectors, housings and optional electronics.
Available SP101 Product Formats
| Format | Typical Use | Design Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plates and panels | Portal monitors, area monitors and large detectors | Active area, thickness, edge finish and wrapping should be specified. |
| Blocks and bars | Counting modules, laboratory instruments and custom detectors | Light-guide coupling and sensor area should be reviewed with the geometry. |
| Cylinders and rings | Special detector layouts and instrument housings | Machining tolerance and optical polishing can be reviewed by drawing. |
| Detector assemblies | Ready-to-integrate radiation detection modules | Can include reflector, housing, sensor coupling and optional electronics. |
Properties of SP101 Plastic Scintillators
The following values are based on the original SP101 product data. Final specifications depend on size, thickness, surface finish and detector assembly.
| Property | Typical Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Polystyrene-based plastic scintillator | Blue-emitting plastic scintillator material. |
| Density | 1.023 g/cm3 | Low-density material for large-area detectors. |
| Refractive index | 1.58 | Important for light-guide and optical coupling design. |
| Light output relative to anthracene | 64% | Original product data; detector output depends on geometry and readout. |
| Peak emission | 423 nm | Blue emission matched to many PMTs and blue-sensitive sensors. |
| Scintillation decay time | 2.4 ns | Fast response for counting and timing applications. |
| Rise time | 0.9 ns | Supports fast signal generation. |
| Light attenuation length | 210 cm | Useful for large panels and long bars. |
| Softening temperature | 75 C | Avoid excessive heat and mechanical stress in detector design. |
| Operating temperature | -40 to 55 C | Final assembly limit also depends on reflector, adhesive, coupling and housing. |
| Energy detection range | 50 keV to 3 MeV | Listed product range; final response depends on detector design. |
SP101 vs. Related Plastic Scintillator Products
SP101 is the general-purpose plastic scintillator option. Related SP products use thinner substrates or ZnS(Ag) coatings for beta, alpha/beta, low-energy gamma or optical coupling functions.
| Product | Main Structure | Primary Use | Selection Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP101 Plastic Scintillator | Blue-emitting polystyrene-based plastic scintillator | Gamma, X-ray and general ionizing radiation detection | Choose for large panels, bars, blocks and general detector assemblies. |
| SP102 Plastic Scintillator | Thin polystyrene-based plastic scintillator | Beta-ray and charged-particle detection | Choose for thin beta detector sheets, typically 0.25-1 mm. |
| SP121 Plastic Scintillator | SP102 base with ZnS(Ag) coating | Alpha and beta radiation measurement | Choose for alpha/beta contamination detector screens. |
| SP122 Plastic Scintillator | SP101 base with ZnS(Ag) coating | Low-energy gamma detection | Choose for coated low-energy gamma monitoring designs. |
| SP123 Plastic Scintillator | PMMA substrate with ZnS(Ag) coating | Alpha-ray detection | Choose for alpha-sensitive ZnS(Ag) screens. |
| SPM100 Light Guide | Cast PMMA optical light guide | Light transfer and sensor coupling | Choose when optical coupling is needed, not as the active scintillator. |
SP101 RFQ Checklist
| RFQ Item | Information to Provide |
|---|---|
| Application | Portal monitor, isotope gauge, portable detector, physics counter, area monitor or custom assembly. |
| Geometry | Panel, plate, bar, block, cylinder, ring or drawing-defined shape. |
| Dimensions | Active area, thickness, length, width, tolerance, edge margin and mounting features. |
| Optical requirement | Surface finish, edge polish, wrapping, reflector, light guide and sensor coupling. |
| Readout method | PMT, SiPM, photodiode, electronics, cable and housing requirement. |
| Order information | Prototype quantity, batch quantity, inspection report and delivery schedule. |
