Study of the photomultiplier tubes' Response to nuclear radiations

The scintillation properties of face screens of standard PMTs of FEU-167 type (boron-silicate glass) and FEU-167-1 type (potassium-containing glass) are studied. Three modifications of the developed test stand permitted to use both cosmic rays and 60Co radioactive source. Scintillation efficiency of these glasses is found to be of about 10-2 of a polystyrene scintillator (2 % terphenyl + 0.06 % POPOP) efficiency and does not depend on the potassium presence. It is suggested to produce PM tubes with the face screens made of scintillation-active (e.g., Ce-doped) glasses which can in certain cases make unnecessary use of separate outer scintillator.