Nuclear track registration from solution media: Alpha track registration in solid state track detectors in solutions of actinides

Abstract

The results are reported of a study on various aspects of registration and revelation of alpha tracks in the three most commonly used cellulose nitrate detectors (namely LR 115, Ca 80-15 and Daicel) immersed in solutions of actinide elements. Americium, plutonium and enriched uanium in dilute nitric acid solution were used as alpha sources. Experimentally determined values of K wet (a measure of the efficiency of track registration from solution) are around 2–5×10 −4 cm for the three detectors under various conditions of exposure and etching. These values have been examined in the context of the range of the particle, its energy loss rate in the solution medium and the sensitivity of the detectors. Optimum conditions of track registration and revelation for the analytical applications of the technique have been experimentally established. Linear relationships were obtained between the concentrations of uranium or plutonium in the solution and the number of tracks per cm 2 obtained under uniform experimental conditions of exposure and etching.