Energy transfer in organic systems VI. Fluorescence response functions and scintillation pulse shapes

Expressions are derived for the fluorescence response functions of organic solution systems in which non-radiative energy transfer occurs and obeys either Stern-Volmer or Förster kinetics. Scintillation pulse shapes are evaluated for typical crystals, binary and ternary liquid solutions, and binary plastic solutions. The scintillation decay time is inadequate to describe the time characteristics of a solution system, and alternative parameters are introduced. Criteria for a fast solution scintillator are established, and binary liquid and plastic scintillators with improved time characteristics are proposed.