A parameterization of nuclear track profiles in CR-39 detector

Abstract

In this work, the empirical parameterization describing the alpha particles’ track depth in CR-39 detectors is extended to describe longitudinal track profiles against etching time for protons and alpha particles. MATLAB based software is developed for this purpose. The software calculates and plots the depth, diameter, range, residual range, saturation time, and etch rate versus etching time. The software predictions are compared with other experimental data and with results of calculations using the original software, TRACK_TEST, developed for alpha track calculations. The software related to this work is freely downloadable and performs calculations for protons in addition to alpha particles.Program summaryProgram title: CR39Catalog identifier: AENA_v1_0Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AENA_v1_0.htmlProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen’s University, Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions:Copyright (c) 2011, Aasim AzoozAll rights reserved.Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met• Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.• Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distributionThis software is provided by the copyright holders and contributors “as is” and any express or implied warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. In no event shall the copyright owner or contributors be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this software, even if advised of the possibility of such damage.No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 15598No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 3933244Distribution format: tar.gzProgramming language: MATLAB.Computer: Any Desktop or Laptop.Operating system: Windows 1998 or above (with MATLAB R13 or above installed).RAM: 512 Megabytes or higherClassification: 17.5.Nature of problem:A new semispherical parameterization of charged particle tracks in CR-39 SSNTD is carried out in a previous paper. This parameterization is developed here into a MATLAB based software to calculate the track length and track profile for any proton or alpha particle energy or etching time. This software is intended to compete with the TRACK_TEST [1] and TRACK_VISION [2] software currently in use by all people working in the field of SSNTD.Solution method:Based on fitting of experimental results of protons and alpha particles track lengths for various energies and etching times to a new semispherical formula with four free fitting parameters, the best set of energy independent parameters were found. These parameters are introduced into the software and the software is programmed to solve the set of equations to calculate the track depth, track etching rate as a function of both time and residual range for particles of normal and oblique incidence, the track longitudinal profile at both normal and oblique incidence, and the three dimensional track profile at normal incidence.Running time:1–8 s on Pentium (4) 2 GHz CPU, 3 GB of RAM depending on the etching time value