ION TRACK ETCHING IN ISOTROPIC POLYMERS - ETCHED TRACK SHAPE AND DETECTION EFFICIENCY

This paper describes the properties of isotropic polymeric nuclear tra ck detector (polycarbonate) used in the field of particle detection. W e will begin the paper by presenting an etching model whose etching ki netics we will assume to be controlled by two distinct velocities, nam ely V-T (the etching rate along the latent track) and V-B the etching rate of the bulk detector material. V-T being variable and V-B constan t, we propose a model which enables the performance of numerical simul ations as well as the understanding of detection characteristics. Afte r the basic formalism has been exposed, the notion of critical angle r egistration will be explained along with delayed-action time. Detectio n efficiency can be calculated from these considerations. We cite some current applications, in particular uranium content determination, al pha dosimetry and neutron detection.