Composite scintillators for high-precision calorimetry

Parameters of composite scintillators based on polystyrene filled with CeF3 , BaF2, and PbF2 powders were measured. The scintillators were prepared by compression molding in the shape of punched plates. They are intended to be used in "shish kebab"-type electromagnetic calorimeters, the light in whic h is collected with wavelength-shifting fibers. For comparison, we presente d the light outputs measured for scintillators 0.5 to 4 mm thick without a filler that are used in "shish kebab" calorimeters with a fine sampling str ucture. The limiting energy resolution of the calorimeters with the scintil lators, with and without the weighting additives, was calculated by the Mon te Carlo method. The experimental data and the analysis performed showed th e feasibility of designing the calorimeters with a resolution better than 5 %/root E. Methods for increasing the light collection efficiency and the co mposite-scintillator light output are considered.