Response of wavelength-shifting and scintillating-wavelength-shifting fibers to ionizing radiation

Abstract

We report results of characterizing the response and light transport of wavelength-shifting (WLS) and scintillating-wavelength-shifting (Sci-WLS) fibers under irradiation by radioactive $\hat{I}\pm$, ${\hat{I}}^2$, and ${\hat{I}}^3$ sources. Light yield and light transmission were measured for the WLS fiber BCF-91A from Saint-Gobain and for a new Sci-WLS fiber EJ-160 from Eljen Technology. The two variants with different fluor mixtures, EJ-160I and EJ-160II, exhibited approximately five and seven times higher light yield than BCF-91A, respectively, while their attenuation lengths were 3.80\,m for BCF-91A, 4.00\,m for EJ-160I, and 2.50\,m for EJ-160II.

13 pages, 13 figures, 3 tables; The source structure has been reorganized for journal submission compatibility