Organic plastic scintillators are materials that emit light when exposed to ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays or neutrons. They are composed of a matrix of a polymer, typically containing aromatic molecules, and a fluorescent organic dye.
When ionizing radiation interacts with the plastic scintillator material, it causes the molecules to undergo excitation and subsequent de-excitation, emitting light in the process.
Organic plastic scintillators are commonly used in various applications, including radiation detection, medical imaging, and high-energy physics experiments, due to their high sensitivity, fast response time, and relatively low cost compared to inorganic scintillators.
They are particularly useful in situations where high-resolution spectroscopy is not required, such as in environmental monitoring or radiation safety applications.