THE RESPONSE OF PLASTIC SCINTILLATOR TO PROTONS AND DEUTERONS

Data on the absolute light output L(E) of plastic scintillator, in equ ivalent electron energy, to protons with energies up to 20 MeV have be en fitted with the parameterization L(E) = A integral(0)(R) ln[+ alpha (dE/dx)](dx), where E is the initial particle energy, dE/dx is the spe cific energy loss, R is the particle range, and alpha is the only free parameter. The scaling factor A has been expressed in terms of alpha and the specific energy loss for a minimum ionizing particle, producin g an absolute response curve. The best-fit value was determined to be alpha = (0.025+/-0.002) g cm(-2)MeV(-1) which gives a normalization of A = 41.0 MeV/(g/cm(2)). The results of the parameterization were comp ared with absolute response data for protons up to 150 MeV, and deuter ons up to 120 MeV, with excellent agreement being observed.