Polyvinyl toluene

Polyvinyltoluene (PVT, polyvinyl toluene) is a synthetic polymer. PVT can be doped with anthracene to produce a plastic scintillator. When subjected to ionizing radiation (both particle radiation and gamma radiation), the amount of visible radiation emitted is proportional to the absorbed dose.

PVT can be damaged by radiation with high stopping power, e.g. ion beams. Such radiation breaks the C-H bonds and significantly reduces the luminescence yield.