New ways of polymeric ion track characterization

New ways have been applied for characterization of ion tracks in polymers i n the last few years, which are essentially related to depth profile determ inations of ions, molecules, or positrons penetrating into these tracks. In combination with tomography, the first three-dimensional results have been obtained. Extensive diffusion simulations accompanying the measurements ha ve enabled us to obtain a better understanding of the transport processes g oing on in ion tracks. This paper gives an overview about the range of new possibilities accessible by these techniques, and summarizes the presently obtained understanding of ion tracks in polymers. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.