EFFECT OF HIGH GAMMA-DOSE ON THE PADC PROPERTIES

The effect of the properties of PADC nuclear track detectors after exp osure to high doses of gamma absorbed doses up to 5x10(5) Gray (50 Mra d) were studied. The gamma source was a 9.03 PBq (244 KCi), Co-60 sour ce. Results indicate that each of the bulk etch rate (V-b), the tracks etch rate (V-t) and the sensitivity (V) of the detectors increases wi th the high gamma absorbed dose, but there is a drop in these paramete rs at the low gamma absorbed dose. Signs of surface roughness were obs erved by increasing the gamma absorbed doses and changes in color obse rved for doses larger than 2x10(5) Gray. The temperature of detectors during irradiation time reached 41 degrees C. The fission fragment tra cks (from Cf-252 source) disappeared quickly within the etching time ( minutes) for total absorbed doses greater than 3x10(5) Gray due to the ir high bulk etch rate.