SP122 Plastic Scintillators

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 areal density, readout method, light-guide structure, wrapping, housing and inspection requirements can be reviewed according to your instrument design.

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.

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.

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 areal density, 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Applications of SP122 Plastic Scintillators

• 01

  Portable low-energy gamma detection instruments

• 02

  Pedestrian radioactivity monitoring systems

• 03

  Environmental and contamination survey devices

• 04

  Custom coated plastic scintillator detector panels

• 05

  Security screening and radiation alarm instruments

• 06

  Prototype detector assemblies requiring low-energy photon response

SP122 Plastic Scintillator RFQ Checklist

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

Frequently Asked Questions