Birks׳ scaling of the particle light output functions for the EJ 299-33 plastic scintillator

Abstract The response of the EJ 299-33 plastic scintillator to energetic charged nuclear particles ranging from isotopes of hydrogen to carbon-12 has been analyzed in terms of Birks׳ semi-empirical approach over the wide range of particle energies from 2 to 20 AMeV. It was found that while the original two-parameter scaling involving Birks׳ composite quenching parameter kB and an overall conversion efficiency parameter S may be applicable to select sets of particles, a more universal fit would still require individual scintillation efficiencies S x for individual particle species and more than just one value of the composite Birks׳ constant kB .