A COMPUTER-SIMULATION OF N,P CONVERSION AND RESULTING PROTON TRACKS ETCHED IN CR-39 SSNTD

Using a PC computer with custom-written code (based on the Monte-Carlo method) we computed the number and characteristics of latent proton t racks produced between the surface and a depth of 20 mu m in a CR39 so lid state nuclear track detector, which itself was used as a radiator (n,p conversion). The incident neutron flux direction was normal to th e surface of the CR39 sheet, and was monoenergetic (1 MeV). A numerica l simulation of chemical etching was then used for the obtained latent proton tracks. The method includes the notion of critical angle for t he etching phase, and makes it possible to determine the true number o f etched tracks created, as well as the geometrical parameters of thes e tracks, such as depth and their major and minor axes.