Applications of nuclear track-recording solids to high-energy phenomena

Abstract

Abstract The density of defects along the track left by a nuclear particle in a non-conducting solid provides a permanent record of the particle's velocity, charge, and mass. The record can be deciphered by etching the solid in a suitable reagent and measuring the sizes of the etch pits at points of intersection of the track with the surfaces. Useful solids include minerals and glasses which are sensitive only to particles with a charge/velocity ratio Z/β≳150, and polymers, the most sensitive of which detects particles with Z/β as low as 6. Numerous applications of this powerful particle identification technique to relativistic nucleus–nucleus collisions, particle physics, and high-energy particles in space are discussed.