title: Can the ZoMBieS method be used to characterise scintillator non-linearity?
abstract: Measurements of the detection efficiency as a function of deposited electron energy in a liquid scintillation cocktail between 4 keV and 49 keV are obtained using the ZoMBieS method. Comparison is made between the measured data and the Poisson-Birks detection efficiency model. Measurements of the Birks non-linearity parameter, kB, and the linearised scintillation response of each photomultiplier, ω(i), were made using these data. However, the value of kB that best linearises the scintillator response is found to vary depending upon which photomultiplier is used in its determination, and the measured kB and ω(i) vary depending on the external source geometry. The cause of this behaviour is unknown. The triple-coincident detection efficiency appears to be unaffected by any systematic errors.
authors.affiliation: Activity Standards Laboratory, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia. Electronic address: lindsey.j.bignell@gmail.com.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Bignell
keywords: Birks quenching; Liquid scintillator; Scintillator non-linearity; ZoMBieS method