A numerical model to predict pulse height distribution of alpha particles in thin ZnS(Ag) scintillators

The SnowWhite7 numerical model was developed to predict pulse height distribution from multicrystalline ZnS(Ag) scintillators exposed to alpha particles. The model, implemented in LabView, treats the following effects: charged particle energy loss, stopping-power-dependent light yield, and light self absorption in the multicrystalline matrix. SnowWhite7 was validated against experimental data obtained with scintillators manufactured at INFN-LNF and having thickness from 1.6 mg⋅cm−2 up to about 10 mg⋅cm−2. The scintillation light output was collected using a commercial photomultiplier and a digitizer. SnowWhite7 internal parameters were adjusted to satisfactorily match the experimental spectra. SnowWhite7 will be used in a broader project on the design of neutron sensitive scintillators based on ZnS(Ag) combined with 6LiF.