From MariachiWiki
Scintillatorsare used in physics and other such
Plastic scintillators admitting visual light upon being bombardered with ultravoilet rays.
areas of science in order to detect the presence of
ionizing radiation. When such radiation, whether high energy particles or
electromagnetic waves, enters the organic or inorganic material compossing the scintilator visual light is admitted. This process is made possible by the properties of the
electrons within the
atoms that compose the scintillator. When electrons come in contact with either radiation, the electrons become
excited or energized and upon dropping down to a lower
energy statewill release that energy in the form of a
photonor light.
Use of Scintillators in Cosmic Ray Detection
Cosmic Rays are one type of radiation that can be detected using the process of scintillation. For this purpose usually the scintillation counters will consist of plastic that is doped in the inorganic material of NaI. After a cosmic ray has entered our atmosphere it will usually produce an effect which is known as a Particle shower.Upon passing through the earths or other planets atmosphere the radiation will be picked up by the scintillators in by the procedure mentioned above.
