Enhancement in the energy resolution of cellulose nitrate track detectors for alpha particles

Abstract

Different irradiation and etching modes have been investigated to improve the energy resolution properties of cellulose nitrate track detectors when used as alpha particle spectrometer. In this connection CA80-15 and LR-115 plastics were employed for the separation of alpha particle peaks from 239Pu and 238U sources. Enhancement in the energy resolution has been observed when the detectors are etched from the reverse side, or if some degrading foils of optimum thickness are interposed between the source and the detector surface to be analysed. In both the above mentioned modes of enhancement in energy resolution, the regions of maximum damage (the Bragg peaks) occuring along the particle trajectories are attacked immediately with the starting of the etching process. The peaks in the Bragg curve occur at different places when different energy alpha particles pass through the detector. Drastically different rates of energy losses at these places are responsible for the diametric separation of the damage trails.