In an optical detector such as those constructed from scintillating glass fibers, the photons represent information. This study of the flow of information in a system of devices using PNL glass fibers was undertaken in order to resolve the conflict between expected and observed peak heights. This work concentrates on the number of photons produced and the fraction of photons trapped. It is found that the number of photons produced in bulk samples of the standard glass is about one-third that expected, based on published values; there is evidence that, in fiberized glass, this may be as small as one-fifth the expected value. Additionally, the fraction of trapped photons is found to be about three-fourths that expected because the glass has a smaller refractive index and the cladding a larger refractive index than published values in the spectral region of importance. These factors, taken together, are sufficient to resolve the conflict between the expected and observed peak heights. This analysis provides guidance for those who would use published materials properties to fabricate detectors in a new geometry where the materials properties may have been changed by the fabrication process.
展开▼
