Relationship between track size and energy for alpha particles in CR-39

• Published in: International journal of radiation applications and instrumentation. Part D, Nuclear tracks and radiation measurements Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 313 - 318
• Main Authors: Hadler N., J.C., Iunes, P.J., Osorio A., A.M., Paulo, S.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 1991
• Subjects: CR-39; Plate-out; RD monitoring; spectrometry; track measurements; spectrometry; Plate-out; CR-39; RD monitoring; track measurements
• ISSN: 1359-0189; 1878-1691
• DOI: 10.1016/1359-0189(91)90202-S

In an attempt to use CR-39 as alpha spectrometer in radon daughters monitoring, the relationship between track size and energy for alpha particles in CR-39 (Pershore Mouldings Ltd, England) was studied by exposing samples of this detector to alpha particles of different energies (up to 7.7 MeV). For the alpha particles whose azimuthal incidence angle was close to zero it was obtained a well-defined curve correlating α-energy and the area of the etch-cone openings. The mean α-energy loss rate (-dE/dx) in CR-39, calculated using Bethe's theory, was observed to be proportional to the track's areas, when α-energy was higher than 2 MeV. Possible applications of these results concerning radon daughters monitoring are discussed.