High energy heavy ion tracks in bubble detectors

Bubble detectors which are commonly used as neutron detectors have been dem onstrated through this study to be good detectors for registration of high energy heavy ion tracks. Large size bubble detectors made in China Institut e of Atomic Energy were irradiated to heavy ions Ar and C up to 650 MeV/u a nd 400 MeV/u respectively. Very clear features of stringy tracks of high en ergy heavy ions and their fragmentations are manifested and distinguishable . A single track created by a specific high energy heavy ion is composed of a line of bubbles, which is visible by naked eyes and retained for months without reduction in size. The creation of heavy ion tracks in bubble detec tors is governed by a threshold whose essence is approximately a critical v alue of energy loss rate (dE/dX)(c) similar to that of etch track detectors . Ranges of heavy ions in bubble detectors are apparent and predictable by existing formulas. Identification of high energy heavy ions and the applica tions to heavy ion physics, cosmic rays, exotic particles and cancer therap y monitoring are obviously promising. The experimental and theoretical aspe cts of high energy heavy ion tracks in bubble detectors as well as the expe ctable applications are presented and discussed.