Performance of compact plastic scintillator strips with wavelength shifting fibers using a photomultiplier tube or silicon photomultiplier readout

This study presents the design and performance results for compact plastic scintillator strips using a wavelength shifting fiber (WLS-fiber) readout with dimensions of 0.1 m x 0.02 m x 2 m . This approach was evaluated as a candidate for a cosmic-ray muon detector for the Taishan Antineutrino Observatory (JUNO-TAO). The strips coupled with 3-inch photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) were measured and compared between the single-end and double-end readout options. Additionally, a strip using the double-end option coupling with a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) was further evaluated and compared with the results obtained using PMTs. The performance of the strips was determined by a detailed survey along their length with a cosmic ray muon after detailed characterization of the 3-inch PMTs and SiPMs. The proposed design employing a compact plastic scintillator strip with WLS-fiber coupling to a SiPM provides a good choice for cosmic-ray muon veto detectors, particularly when detector dimensions must be limited.

Automated summary

This study presents the design and performance results for compact plastic scintillator strips using a wavelength shifting fiber (WLS-fiber) readout. The strips were evaluated as a candidate for a cosmic-ray muon detector. The performance of the strips was determined by detailed characterization and measurement using 3-inch photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). The proposed design provides a good choice for cosmic-ray muon veto detectors when space is limited.