A model survey meter using undoped poly (ether sulfone)

highlights
• Undoped poly (ether sulfone) (PES) can be used as a scintillation material in radiation survey meters.
• Large PES plates with treated surfaces were characterized.
• Surface roughening of the plates increased light collection efficiency.
• Plates with a combination of mirrored/scattering surfaces work best.
• A significant amount of light generated by radiation remains in the PES plates.

The large region surrounding the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant has necessitated the use of numerous radiation survey meters with large, robust substrates. The survey meters require efficient scintillation materials that do not require doping and have dimensional stability, such as poly (ether sulfone) (PES) resins. Here, we demonstrate the performance of a model survey meter that uses large PES plates with polished, mirrored surfaces and rough, scattering surfaces. Light collection efficiencies from plates having one or more of these surfaces were quantitatively Characterised with 36Cl-, 60Co-, 137Cs-radioactive sources. The count rates of plates having a combination of mirrored/scattering-surfaces are >1.6 times that for plates having two mirrored surfaces. In addition, a significant amount of radiation-induced light generated in the PES is trapped inside the plate because of its relatively high refractive index. The results indicate that large, undoped PES plates can be used in radiation survey meters.