Application of Ag+-doped phosphate glasses as nuclear track etch detectors

Abstract

The Ag+-doped phosphate glass which is commonly employed as the radiophotoluminscence (RPL) dosimeter has been applied as a nuclear track etch detector. The glass is etchable in the NaOH solutions and forms clear nuclear etch pit. The etching performances and track parameters vary as a function of the concentration of NaOH solution. The most sensitive normality was confirmed to be 7 N. The track response is controllable with NaOH concentration at the range of Z∗/β ≥ 80 (Z∗: effective charge, β: velocity). The charge spectroscopic resolution for Xe (Z∗/β = 107) was found to be 0.23 cu (charge unit), which would allow to identify individual nuclear charge of ultra heavy nuclei around Actinides in the cosmic rays. The Ag+-doped phosphate glass would be a promising detector for high Z spectroscopy for cosmic ray and nuclear physics fields and has the potential to operate not only RPL dosimeter but also nuclear track etch detector.