Updates to TRACK_TEST and TRACK_VISION Computer Programs

The computer programs TRACK_TEST and TRACK_VISION were previously developed to model profiles and optical appearances of tracks developed in solid-state nuclear track detectors. The programs were based on a track development model that involved the bulk etch rate Vb and the track etch rate Vt or the V function (i.e., Vt/Vb). The present work reported our work to update and modify these two programs. In the revised TRACK_TEST, two new V functions were added and enabled. Sample results for the CR-39 detector obtained using the three original and the two new V functions were compared. Discrepancies were within ~10% and <14% for incident alpha-particle energies of 1 MeV and >1 MeV, respectively. Another major revision of TRACK_TEST was to enable calculations for the Makrofol detector. In the revised TRACK_VISION, the two new V functions, as well as the option for the Makrofol detector, were also added. The experimental results on the Makrofol detectors were obtained (irradiated with 3.6-MeV alpha particles under normal incidence and then etched to achieve a removed detector thickness of 30 μm) for comparisons with the modeled results using the revised TRACK_VISION. The track diameters obtained from the experiment and model were 24.7 and 23.2 μm, respectively. Moreover, a bright area in the central parts, together with an outer dark ring, were present in both the simulated and experimental tracks. The track-opening diameters and the general optical appearances of the tracks were in good agreement.

Effects of UV irradiation on Fission-fragment track parameters in Makrofol-E detector

This study gives information about the effects of UV (here, the wavelength is 160 nm) exposure on the bulk etch rate ([Formula: see text], track etch rate ([Formula: see text], the detector sensitivity ([Formula: see text], critical angle ([Formula: see text] and etching efficiency ([Formula: see text] of Makrofol-E Solid State Nuclear Track Detector. The effect of UV on the activation energy of Makrofol-E was also studied. Nine pieces of Makrofol-E Solid State Nuclear Track Detector were separated into three equal sets as set A, set B and set C. Set A, named as reference set (Fission fragment FF), was irradiated to [Formula: see text]Cf source. Set B, called as post-exposed ([Formula: see text]), was first irradiated to [Formula: see text]Cf and then exposed to UV. The process was reversed for set C named as pre-exposed ([Formula: see text]) at the same conditions. From the results, it is concluded that radiation produces small but significant effect on activation energy [Formula: see text] of bulk etch rate for pre-exposed and post-exposed samples. Also, the activation energies [Formula: see text] of track etch rate for post-exposed and Fission fragment samples are within experimental uncertainty. The energy carried by UV radiation may be responsible for cross networking processes occurring during the exposure which results small change in activation energies for both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The [Formula: see text] can be increased by hardening detector material of the pre-exposed detector.