High energy proton induced luminescence in F-doped polyvinyltoluene

Fluorine-doped polyvinyltoluene (PVT shows a luminescence peak emission at 432 nill under proton beam irradiation. The conversion efficiency, typicall y 2% at 60 MeV, has been investigated in the 5-62 MeV proton energy range. The luminescence yield has been measured as a function of the ionization en ergy loss. The energy loss has been evaluated through a thin ionization cha mber in the range 1-10 MeV mm(-1). No dose-rate effect has been detected in the adopted proton flux 10(6)-4x10(8) cm(-2) s(-1). The experimental data are discussed by modelling the interaction between proton-organic molecules as electronic excitations, including recombination processes up to the sec ond order. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.