Sub-nanosecond plastic scintillator time response studies using laser produced X-ray pulsed excitation

The light emission time response of quenched NEIII plastic scintillators was measured using a streak camera (20 ps resolution) and 100 to 180 ps, 1.06 micrometers, laser-produced, pulsed, low energy X-ray excitation. Each light output pulse was obtained by deconvolution from the film data using the X-ray temporal response measured with an X-ray sensitive streak camera (10 ps resolution). Time response parameters are presented for benzophenone and acetophenone, quenching agents which most effectively reduce the decay time of the singlet component. Full width-half-maximum less than or equal to 260 ps were observed for NEIII samples quenched with greater than or equal to 2 percent benzophenone. Results are given for unquenched samples consisting of different concentrations of butyl-PBD in PVT and for the phosphor ZnO doped with Ga.