Superheated liquid and its place in radiation physics

Superheated liquid drops suspended in a visco-elastic gel (known as a super heated drop detector) or in a more rigid polymer matrix (known as a bubble detector) are known to be a useful tool in radiation physics. Superheated l iquids have been used as radiation detectors in health physics, medical phy sics, space physics, nuclear and high energy physics. In addition, the phys ics of nucleation is not fully understood and requires further investigatio n. The present paper discusses the special features of a superheated drop d etector which has made its place in almost all branches of radiation physic s within 20 years of its discovery. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All righ ts reserved.