Comparison between etching techniques for solid-state nuclear track detector (CN-85) to develop alpha tracks

Abstract

The present work aims to estimate and compare the etching parameters of Solid-state nuclear track detector (SSNTD) CN-85 with different etching techniques (Water bath, Ultrasound, Microwave, Oven and Plasma (Dry Etching)). CN-85 detectors were exposed in a direct contact to the sensitive face (notated face) for 15 s to alpha particles emitted from the radium-226 source (226Ra) of 4.87 MeV energy and 5 μCi activity. Small pieces with area (1 × 1) cm2 of CN-85 detectors were used. Using an optical microscope (model, N-200M). It has magnification of 400× to count the alpha tracks of CN-85 detectors. Tracks density and tracks diameters of CN-85 detector at different etching time from the five etching techniques were estimated. In addition, based on the experimental results, etching parameters related to the maximum track densities for CN-85 track detector are calculated. With etching efficiency value of ∼ 73%, microwave technique is the most efficient technique follow with plasma technique with (∼59%). The other three techniques had efficiencies three times less than microwave technique. Therefore, it can conclude that microwave etching technique is recommended for CN-85 detectors.