ALPHA-RADIATION DETECTION AND ANALYSIS BY NUCLEAR TRACK DETECTOR

A gross analysis is presented of alpha radiation from Am-241, Pu-239, Th-230, Cm-244, U-238 and Np-237 sources, using nuclear track detector (NTD) methods. The response of the NTD was measured at low and high a lpha emission rates, fixed exposure times, and fixed quantity of total alpha particles for each of the different isotopes over a range of al pha energies. The distributions and statistics of the track densities were calculated. LANTRAK polycarbonate was selected as the NTD detecto r material. A one-step chemical etch in 6.25N NaOH at 60-degrees-C for 16 h was used. Twenty-four fields (0.91 mm2) one each detector were r ead using an automatic counting system. The results show the linearity and efficiency of the material for each alpha energy, and the track d iameter distribution relative to energy.