APPROACHES TO OPTIMIZE SCINTILLATOR POLYMERS FOR OPTICAL RADIATION HARDNESS

This paper is concerned with identifying optical polymers which are transparent after exposure to ionizing radiation. Annealable color centers are minimized when permeability and flexibility of the polymer matrix are enhanced. Four ways of altering the polymer matrix to enhance transparency resistance are discussed: side chain variation, copolymerization, blending, low molecular weight additives. Cross-linking does not interfere with measures taken to minimize color center formation or annealing and may be necessary to ensure mechanical stability.