Engineering Overview

SP122 Plastic Scintillators

SP122 Plastic Scintillator is an SP101 polystyrene-based plastic scintillator coated with ZnS(Ag), designed for low-energy gamma-ray detection down to about 40 keV in suitable detector designs. ATR Crystal supplies custom SP122 panels and shapes with 8-10 mg/cm2 ZnS(Ag) coating for portable radiation instruments, pedestrian radioactivity monitoring systems and custom detector assemblies.

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SP122 Coated Plastic Scintillator for Low-Energy Gamma Detection

SP122 Plastic Scintillator is a coated plastic scintillator designed for low-energy gamma-ray detection in radiation monitoring instruments. It uses an SP101 polystyrene-based plastic scintillator as the substrate and adds a controlled ZnS(Ag) coating layer to improve response to low-energy photons in suitable detector geometries.

The SP122 structure is different from a standard plastic scintillator panel. The SP101 base provides fast plastic scintillator response, while the ZnS(Ag) coating, typically 8-10 mg/cm2, is used to support low-energy gamma detection down to about 40 keV according to the product design. Final detector response depends on source energy, coating uniformity, panel size, sensor choice, optical coupling, electronics and calibration method.

ATR Crystal supplies custom SP122 scintillator panels and shaped parts for portable detection instruments, pedestrian radioactivity monitoring systems and custom radiation detector assemblies. Panel dimensions, active area, coating density, readout method, light-guide structure, wrapping, housing and inspection requirements can be reviewed according to your instrument design.

Applications of SP122 Plastic Scintillators

Portable low-energy gamma detection instruments

Pedestrian radioactivity monitoring systems

Environmental and contamination survey devices

Custom coated plastic scintillator detector panels

Security screening and radiation alarm instruments

Prototype detector assemblies requiring low-energy photon response

Advantages of SP122 Coated Scintillator Panels

Low-energy gamma responseSP122 is designed for low-energy gamma detection, with product data indicating response down to about 40 keV in suitable detector designs.
SP101 plastic scintillator baseThe polystyrene-based substrate provides fast scintillation response and practical processing for panels and custom shapes.
Controlled ZnS(Ag) coatingThe 8-10 mg/cm2 coating layer adds the low-energy photon response required by this product structure.
Good uniformityCoating uniformity and substrate quality can be specified for consistent response across the active area.
Custom shapes availablePanels, plates, strips and drawing-defined parts can be reviewed according to instrument housing and sensor layout.
Detector integration supportOptical coupling, PMT/SiPM selection, wrapping, light-guide design and housing requirements can be reviewed together.

SP122 Structure and Design Notes

SP122 is a coated scintillator structure. The SP101 substrate and the ZnS(Ag) coating should be specified together with the optical readout and detector electronics.

Layer / Item	Function	Design Notes
SP101 substrate	Polystyrene-based plastic scintillator base	Provides fast plastic scintillator response, 423 nm emission and mechanical support for the coated structure.
ZnS(Ag) coating	Coating layer for low-energy photon response	Standard coating thickness is 8-10 mg/cm2. Coating density and uniformity should be specified for calibrated instruments.
Detection target	Low-energy gamma rays and related low-energy photon monitoring	Product data indicates response down to about 40 keV; final sensitivity depends on full detector design.
Readout method	PMT, SiPM, photodiode or custom optical module	Sensor spectral response should cover the 423 nm and 450 nm emission regions.
Panel format	Custom plate, strip, panel or shaped component	Active area, edge margin, thickness, mounting and housing should be defined in the drawing.
Calibration	Instrument-level response verification	Energy threshold, count-rate behavior and uniformity should be validated in the final detector assembly.

Properties of SP122 Plastic Scintillators

The following values are based on the original SP122 product data and comparable scintillator references. Final specifications depend on coating process, panel geometry and inspection method.

Property	SP101 Substrate	ZnS(Ag) Coating
Material	SP101, polystyrene-based plastic scintillator	ZnS(Ag)
Density	1.023 g/cm3	4.1 g/cm3
Refractive index	1.58	Not specified
Light output reference	64%, reference standard to be confirmed	280%, reference standard to be confirmed
Maximum emission wavelength	423 nm	450 nm
Scintillation decay time	2.4 ns	200 ns
Operating temperature	Low-temperature use to -95 C may be reviewed	Low-temperature use to -95 C may be reviewed
Coating thickness	Not applicable	8-10 mg/cm2
Detection note	Fast plastic scintillator base	Low-energy gamma response down to about 40 keV according to product design

Note: the original table labels the light-output row as a percentage of NaI(Tl). Comparable plastic scintillator and ZnS(Ag) data often reports these values relative to anthracene. If the reference standard is important for your procurement document, please confirm it before final quotation.

Low-Energy Gamma Detection Considerations

SP122 is intended for monitoring and detector assemblies where low-energy gamma response is more important than gamma spectroscopy. It should not be described as a direct replacement for NaI(Tl), LaBr3(Ce), HPGe or other high-efficiency spectroscopy detectors. The right choice depends on photon energy, active area, count-rate requirement, background, alarm threshold, sensor sensitivity and electronics.

For practical detector design, specify whether the instrument is used for screening, survey, alarm monitoring or quantitative measurement. Low-energy response around 40 keV depends strongly on detector window, coating layer, optical path, source geometry and calibration condition, so the final assembly should be tested with the intended source and measurement setup.

SP122 vs. Related Plastic Scintillator Products

SP122 should be selected when a coated plastic scintillator is required for low-energy gamma detection. Other SP products target alpha, beta, general plastic scintillation or optical coupling.

Product	Main Structure	Primary Use	Selection Notes
SP122 Plastic Scintillator	SP101 base with ZnS(Ag) coating, typically 8-10 mg/cm2	Low-energy gamma detection	Choose for portable instruments and monitoring systems where low-energy photon response is required.
SP123 Plastic Scintillator	PMMA substrate with ZnS(Ag) coating, typically 4.5 mg/cm2	Alpha-ray detection	Choose for surface contamination and large-area alpha monitoring panels.
SP121 Plastic Scintillator	SP102 base with ZnS(Ag) coating, typically 4.5 mg/cm2	Alpha and beta radiation measurement	Choose for dual alpha/beta detection designs.
SP102 Plastic Scintillator	Thin polystyrene-based plastic scintillator	Beta-ray and charged-particle detection	Choose for thin beta detector designs and charged-particle monitoring.
SP101 Plastic Scintillator	Blue-emitting plastic scintillator	Gamma-ray, X-ray and general ionizing radiation detection	Choose for uncoated 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 SP122 Coated Plastic Scintillators

For an accurate SP122 quotation, define the target radiation, expected energy range, panel size, active area, substrate thickness, ZnS(Ag) coating thickness, coating uniformity, detector window, sensor type, optical coupling method, light-guide requirement, reflector, housing design and calibration plan.

If the detector must respond to a specific low-energy gamma or X-ray line, provide the source, energy, alarm threshold, geometry, measurement distance and required uniformity. For pedestrian monitoring systems, the active area, panel arrangement, mechanical mounting, background condition and electronics should be reviewed together.

SP122 Plastic Scintillator RFQ Checklist

Providing the following information helps ATR Crystal review feasibility and quote more accurately.

RFQ Item	Information to Provide
Application	Portable radiation instrument, pedestrian monitor, low-energy gamma detector, survey device or custom detector assembly.
Radiation target	Gamma or X-ray energy range, threshold requirement, source type and measurement geometry.
Panel geometry	Total size, active area, thickness, shape, edge margin, mounting holes and drawing.
Material structure	SP101 substrate requirement, ZnS(Ag) coating thickness, coated side and coating area.
Optical readout	PMT, SiPM, photodiode, light guide, reflector, optical grease or coupling requirement.
Inspection requirement	Coating uniformity, visual inspection, response uniformity, reference source and report format if required.
Order information	Prototype quantity, batch quantity, packaging requirement and delivery schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SP122 Plastic Scintillator used for?

SP122 is used for low-energy gamma detection in portable radiation instruments, pedestrian radioactivity monitoring systems and custom coated plastic scintillator detector assemblies.

What is the structure of SP122?

SP122 uses an SP101 polystyrene-based plastic scintillator substrate coated with ZnS(Ag). The listed coating thickness is 8-10 mg/cm2.

Can SP122 detect 40 keV gamma rays?

The product data indicates low-energy gamma detection down to about 40 keV. Final response depends on detector window, coating quality, panel geometry, sensor, electronics and calibration setup.

Is SP122 the same as SP123?

No. SP122 is an SP101-based coated scintillator for low-energy gamma detection. SP123 is a PMMA-supported ZnS(Ag) scintillation screen mainly used for alpha-ray detection.

What information is needed for an SP122 quotation?

Please provide target energy range, application, panel size, active area, substrate thickness, coating thickness, readout method, housing design, quantity and drawing if available.