CALIBRATION OF CN AND CR-39 TRACK DETECTORS FOR MEASUREMENTS OF FAST DEUTERONS AND NITROGEN-IONS

The paper reports on the analysis of responses of CN-type films and CR 39-plastic nuclear track detectors (NTDs) to fast deuterons and nitrog en ions emitted from high-current Plasma-Focus (PF) facilities, as ope rated at SINS and INFIP. In order to separate the deuterons and nitrog en ions of different energy, the use was made of a Thomson-type mass-s pectrometer adapted to measurements within dense plasma streams. Deute ron and ion parabolae were registered with the CN-80 and CN-LR115 film s as well as with the CR39 plastic NTDs, which were undergone routine etching procedures. On the basis of known characteristics of the spect rometer applied energy-and mass-scales for the obtained ion parabolae were determined. Using an optical microscope, a detailed analysis of t rack dimensions was performed in chosen points along the registered pa rabolae, and the calibration diagrams (i..e, a track diameter for the chosen ion energy and different etching times) were determined. Result s of the calibration procedure, after comparing with other calibration data obtained with conventional particle accelerators, may be applica ble for measurements of fast deuterons (i.g., in nuclear fusion experi ments) and energetic nitrogen ions (i.g., in some plasma-and ion-facil ities used for technological applications).