RESEARCH ON LIQUID SCINTILLATORS USED FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF SOFT BETA RAYS

A study was made to outline the various principles which should guide the selection of the scintillating mixture to be used for the measurement of soft beta rays. Only organic compounds are considered. The composition of the liquid scintillator---the solvent, diluent, and intermediary or activating solvent---is first considered. The effect of temperature on the background and on the scintillator-photomultiplier arrangement is next discussed. The effect of distillation and degassing is also briefly reviewed. (J.S.R.)