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 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. |
