Scintillators materials when crossed by ionising particles produce a scintillation light, generally proportional to (function of) the energy of the interacting particles, that can be detected with proper photosensors.
In order to match the photosensor optical detection efficiency the scintillators are tuned to produce light typically in the ultraviolet and/or visible energy range.
More in general, according to the applications, the materials are chosen in order to maximise different parameters, such as time response, light yield, detection probability, shape and cost.
Organic scintillators consist of organic molecules (the primary dopant) and eventually a wavelength shifter (the secondary dopant), homogeneously dispersed in a transparent polymeric matrix, generally consisting of polyvinyltoluene (PVT) or polystyrene (PS).
The main advantages of organic materials are: fast time response, flexibility in manufacturing and low cost.
Nevertheless, commercial plastic scintillators are not suited for very customized thin structures while, up to know, the 3D printer technique (metallic, ceramic and polymeric) exploited for the mechanical structures of the detectors, allows for high precision manufacturing (tolerances of few tens of µm).
The 3DIT project is a feasibility study dedicated to the research and development of plastic scintillators in polymeric matrices obtained by means of additive manufacturing.
The research group of SBAI has considerable experience in the field of new organic scintillators development, documented by publications, conference communications and international patents.
The collaboration of SBAI with CREF and INFN Roma personnel, largely experienced in the field of synthesis by means of 3D-printing technology of transparent polymeric matrices, will be extremely fruitful.
With the 3DIT project the collaboration will prove the concept of organic scintillators additive manufacturing.
