Track etch parameters in CR-39 detectors for proton and alpha particles of different energies

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section B, Beam interactions with materials and atoms Vol. 179; no. 4; pp. 543 - 550
• Main Authors: Lounis, Z., Djeffal, S., Morsli, K., Allab, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2001
• Subjects: Bragg peak; Bulk etch rate; Critical angle of incidence; Poly-allyl-diglycol carbonate (CR-39); Restricted energy loss; Track etch rate; Bragg peak; Poly-allyl-diglycol carbonate (CR-39); Bulk etch rate; Restricted energy loss; Critical angle of incidence; Track etch rate
• ISSN: 0168-583X; 1872-9584
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-583X(01)00601-2

Etchable track formation in poly-allyl-diglycol carbonate (commercially known as CR-39) track detectors is a process directly related to density of damage produced along the charged particle path; it requires knowledge of the variation of bulk etch rate V b and track etch rate V t as a function of the initial particle energy and etching time. In this paper, the track etch parameters have been experimentally measured in CR-39 detectors irradiated with proton and alpha particles in the energy ranges 0.5–2.5 MeV and 1–5.8 MeV, respectively. Detectors were chemically etched in a hot hydroxide potassium solution for periods ranging from 1 to 32 h. The dependence of track diameters on the energy values, the correlation between the maximum track diameter and the Bragg peak and the variation of the track etch rate V t as a function of the incident particle energy for different etching times are presented and discussed. Critical values of detection angles and optimal energies of the incident protons on the CR-39 have been deduced. The present results are compared with those given in recently published works.