SP102 Plastic Scintillators
SP102 Thin Plastic Scintillator for Beta-Ray Measurement
SP102 Plastic Scintillator is a thin polystyrene-based plastic scintillator designed for beta-ray measurement, charged-particle detection and surface contamination monitoring. It is typically supplied in thin sheet or panel form so that beta particles can be detected while background gamma interaction is kept relatively low compared with thicker scintillator blocks.
The standard SP102 thickness range is typically 0.25 mm to 1 mm, depending on beta energy, detector window, mechanical support and required detection efficiency. The material has a 423 nm emission peak, 2.4 ns scintillation decay time, refractive index of 1.58 and density of 1.023 g/cm3. The listed energy detection range is 50 keV to 3 MeV.
ATR Crystal supplies custom SP102 plastic scintillator sheets, panels and shaped parts for hand-held surface contamination meters, whole body contamination monitors, beta attenuation instruments and custom detector assemblies. Thickness, active area, surface finish, wrapping, light-guide coupling, sensor interface and housing requirements can be reviewed according to your instrument design.
SP102 Thin Plastic Scintillator Selection Note
SP102 is normally selected when the detector needs a thin plastic scintillator sheet for beta-ray or charged-particle measurement. If you are still deciding between a general SP101-class scintillating plastic panel and a thinner SP102 beta-focused sheet, see our plastic scintillator selection guide for material and thickness selection notes.
Applications of SP102 Plastic Scintillators
Hand-held beta surface contamination meters
Whole body contamination monitoring systems
PM2.5 particle detectors using beta attenuation measurement
Charged-particle detection and counting assemblies
Thin scintillator screens for radiation survey instruments
Prototype detector modules requiring thin plastic scintillator sheets
Advantages of SP102 Thin Plastic Scintillator
- Optimized for beta detectionThin SP102 sheets support beta measurement while reducing unnecessary gamma interaction compared with thick plastic scintillator blocks.
- Fast scintillation responseThe 2.4 ns decay time supports fast counting and timing-sensitive beta detector designs.
- Blue emissionThe 423 nm emission peak matches many PMTs, SiPMs and photodiodes used in radiation instruments.
- Non-hygroscopic materialPolystyrene-based plastic scintillator is not hygroscopic, simplifying handling and detector integration compared with hygroscopic crystal scintillators.
- Custom thin-panel formatsThickness, active area, edge finish, surface quality and mounting features can be reviewed for custom detector housings.
- Useful mechanical stabilitySP102 can be machined and integrated into detector assemblies when temperature, stress and mounting conditions are controlled.
SP102 Thickness and Beta Detection Notes
SP102 is normally selected as a thin detector material. Thickness should be chosen according to beta energy, gamma background, window material and required counting efficiency.
| Design Item | Typical Requirement | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | Typically 0.25-1 mm | Thin sections help beta measurement while limiting background gamma interaction. |
| Detection range | 50 keV to 3 MeV, according to original product data | Final threshold depends on detector window, source geometry, electronics and calibration. |
| Detector window | Thin window or open geometry, depending on instrument design | Low-energy beta particles are easily attenuated by window materials and air gaps. |
| Optical readout | PMT, SiPM, photodiode or light-guide-coupled sensor | Sensor spectral response should match the 423 nm emission region. |
| Mechanical support | Substrate, frame or housing-defined support | Very thin panels may require careful mounting to avoid bending or stress. |
| Gamma background | Instrument-level evaluation required | Thin SP102 reduces gamma interaction but does not eliminate background; final rejection depends on full detector design. |
Properties of SP102 Plastic Scintillators
The following values are based on the original SP102 product data. Final specifications depend on sheet thickness, surface processing, active area and inspection method.
| Property | Typical Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Polystyrene-based plastic scintillator | Manufactured from styrene monomers through thermal polymerization according to original product description. |
| Density | 1.023 g/cm3 | Consistent with common fast plastic scintillator data. |
| Refractive index | 1.58 | Useful for light-guide and optical coupling design. |
| Light output relative to anthracene | 64% | Original product data; exact detector output depends on geometry and readout. |
| Peak emission | 423 nm | Blue emission, compatible with many PMTs and blue-sensitive SiPMs. |
| Scintillation decay time | 2.4 ns | Suitable for fast beta counting and timing applications. |
| Softening temperature | 75 C | Detector design should avoid excessive temperature and mechanical stress. |
| Operating temperature | -40 to 55 C | Final assembly limit also depends on coupling material, reflector, adhesive and housing. |
| Energy detection range | 50 keV to 3 MeV | Listed product range; final threshold and efficiency depend on instrument design. |
| Common thickness | 0.25-1 mm | Used to support beta detection while reducing gamma background interaction. |
Detector Integration Considerations
SP102 should be specified together with the detector window, optical sensor, electronics and mechanical housing. For low-energy beta particles, the entrance window, air gap, protective film and scintillator thickness strongly influence detection efficiency. If the instrument must reject gamma background, the scintillator thickness, shielding, threshold and calibration method should be reviewed together.
For PM2.5 beta attenuation instruments, provide the beta source, detector geometry, filter tape position, measurement distance and required active area. For surface contamination meters, provide the target beta source, expected energy range, active area, window design and uniformity requirement.
SP102 vs. Related Plastic Scintillator Products
SP102 should be selected when a thin beta-sensitive plastic scintillator is required. Related SP products use different substrate or coating structures for alpha, alpha/beta, low-energy gamma or optical coupling functions.
| Product | Main Structure | Primary Use | Selection Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP102 Plastic Scintillator | Thin polystyrene-based plastic scintillator | Beta-ray and charged-particle detection | Choose for 0.25-1 mm thin beta detector sheets and panels. |
| SP121 Plastic Scintillator | SP102 base with ZnS(Ag) coating, typically 4.5 mg/cm2 | Alpha and beta radiation measurement | Choose when alpha detection is also required through a ZnS(Ag) coating. |
| SP122 Plastic Scintillator | SP101 base with ZnS(Ag) coating, typically 8-10 mg/cm2 | Low-energy gamma detection | Choose for portable low-energy gamma monitoring instruments. |
| SP123 Plastic Scintillator | PMMA substrate with ZnS(Ag) coating, typically 4.5 mg/cm2 | Alpha-ray detection | Choose for alpha-sensitive ZnS(Ag) screens and large-area alpha monitoring panels. |
| SP101 Plastic Scintillator | Blue-emitting plastic scintillator | Gamma-ray, X-ray and general ionizing radiation detection | Choose for thicker general-purpose plastic scintillator panels, blocks, bars and detector assemblies. |
| SPM100 Light Guide | Cast PMMA optical light guide | Light transfer and sensor coupling | Choose when optical coupling or geometry transition is needed, not as the active scintillator. |
How to Specify SP102 Thin Plastic Scintillators
For an accurate SP102 quotation, define the target beta source or energy range, total panel size, active area, thickness, thickness tolerance, surface finish, optical coupling method, reflector, sensor type, window material, housing design and required inspection method.
If the detector needs a very low beta threshold, include the entrance window material, air gap, source-to-detector distance and calibration geometry. If the product will be used in a beta attenuation instrument, provide the source, filter path, counting geometry and expected operating environment.
SP102 Plastic Scintillator RFQ Checklist
Providing the following information helps ATR Crystal review feasibility and quote more accurately.
| RFQ Item | Information to Provide |
|---|---|
| Application | Surface contamination meter, beta detector, PM2.5 beta attenuation instrument, laboratory counter or custom detector assembly. |
| Radiation target | Beta source, charged particle type, energy range, threshold requirement and measurement geometry. |
| Panel geometry | Total size, active area, thickness, thickness tolerance, shape, edge margin, mounting holes and drawing. |
| Optical processing | Surface finish, edge polish, reflector, wrapping, light guide and optical coupling requirement. |
| Readout method | PMT, SiPM, photodiode, electronics threshold and detector window design. |
| Operating condition | Temperature range, humidity, cleaning method, vibration, housing stress and expected service environment. |
| Order information | Prototype quantity, batch quantity, inspection report requirement, packaging and delivery schedule. |
