Inexpensive, Position Sensitive Tiled Photomultiplier Arrays for Cherenkov Counters

65846 Scintillating optical fibers are used in not only in high-energy physics instrumentation, but also in fundamental physical research, in medical equipment, and in the security, oil exploration, and telecommunications industries. However, typical scintillating fibers have numerical apertures less than 0.7, resulting in low light trapping efficiencies ¿ less than 6%. This project will develop photonic crystal scintillating fibers with high light trapping efficiencies (one order of magnitude higher than state-of-the-art scintillating fibers) using commercially available polymer and glass materials and fiber fabrication technology. Phase I will evaluate the performance of different core and photonic bandgap cladding structures, providing insight into the mechanism of scintillation in photonic structures. The manufacture of photonic crystal scintillating fibers will be included. Phase II will optimize the fiber preparation process and deliver fibers for use in particle detectors. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Photonic crystal scintillating polymer fibers should enhance the performance of glass and polymer scintillating fibers designed for radiometers and X-ray, electron, UV, IR, and gamma detectors; X-ray imaging (such as mammography); electron imaging screens; fluorescent optical fiber sensors; and down-conversion probes for deep-UV beam lithographic diagnostics.