Improvement of a plastic scintillator with different coatings for gamma-ray detection

Identical cubic plastic scintillator detectors were tested using different coating materials in order to investigate their response function and efficiency, additionally two light guides were also coated evaluating their performance in order to find the best combination for a detection array. The array is composed by a plastic scintillator coupled to a light guide and a photomultiplier tube (PMT), the output signal is processed by a Data Aquisition System (DAQ). Operational voltage for the PMT was found and detectors were tested measuring 137Cs certified gamma-ray point source. Spectra were analyzed and optimal coating for light guide and detector combination was determined based on the array’s efficiency.