Product Information

Radiation-detecting optical fibers

Resins/Films Methacrylate Derivatives

Plastic scintillating fibers (PSF)

General name
Plastic scintillating fibers
Sales format
Fiber (rods, spool-wound)

PSF is a type of plastic optical fiber developed in the 1980s as a radiation-detecting material using Kuraray’s unique manufacturing method. The fibers have a multiple (single-layer or double-layer) structure consisting of a polystyrene core (inner side) with a fluorescent agent and a methacrylate cladding (outer side), causing them to emit light when stimulated by radiation. Kuraray has continuously supplied its PSF to numerous research institutions and made improvements in quality, such as optical performance and dimensional precision, based on its accumulation of technologies. As a result, Kuraray’s PSF have been used as radiation-detecting materials for 20 years. As the de facto standard in radiation-detecting materials, including for Cosmic rays, they are used in research of neutrinos and quarks, and played a role in the discovery of the Higgs boson. Another potential application is as a material for use in research for the detection of dark matter, a current trend in astrophysics. In addition, PSF are utilized in the D-phod system for measuring the gamma ray dose rate that was developed by Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd., and are expected to be useful in checking for contamination by radioactive substances.

Applications

Radiation detection material

Research on neutrinos and quarks

Characteristics

High attenuation length

High capture ratio

Standard grades and properties

Scintillating fibers1
Type Luminescence Absorption Peak (nm) Attenuation length2 (m) Characteristics
Color Spectra Peaks (nm)
SCSF-78 Blue Refer to catalogue 450 2.8 >4.0 High luminescence
High attenuation length
SCSF-81 Blue 437 2.4 >3.5 High attenuation length
SCSF-3HF (1500) Green 530 7 >4.5 Radiation resistance

1. Tested using non-S type, 1 mmφ.
2. Measured using bialkali PMT and UV light (254 nm).

Wavelength shifting fibers1
Type Luminescence Absorption Peak (nm) Attenuation length2 (m) Characteristics
Color Spectra Peaks (nm)
Y-7 (100) Green Refer to catalogue 490 439 >2.8 Blue to green shifter
Y-8 (100) Green 511 455 >3.0 Blue to green shifter
Y-11 (200) Green 476 430 >3.5 Blue to green shifter (u K-27 formulation)
High luminescence
High attenuation length
B-2 (200) Blue 437 375 >3.5 UV to blue shifter
B-3 (200) Blue 450 351 >4.0 UV to blue shifter
O-2 (100) Orange 550 535 >1.5 Green to orange shifter
R-3 (100) Red 610 577 >2.0 Green to red shifter

1. Tested using non-S type, 1 mmφ.
2. Measured using bialkali PMT.

Clear fibers1
Type Luminescence Attenuation length (m) Characteristics
Color Spectra Peaks (nm)
Clear-PS - - - >10

1. Tested using non-S type, 1 mmφ.

Catalogues/technical data

Related website

Contact us

Click here for inquires (Plastic scintillating fibers (PSF))
Sheets Marketing and Sales Department,
Methacrylate Division
Kuraray Co., Ltd.
Tokiwabashi Tower, 2-6-4, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0004, Japan
Methacrylate Division
Kuraray Trading Co., Ltd.
Tokiwabashi Tower, 2-6-4, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0004, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-6701-2035