Spectrometry of linear energy transfer with a track etched detector

Abstract

Etchable track formation in a track etch detector is a process directly related to the density of energy deposition by a charged particle in the detector. The analysis of track parameters would therefore permit to determine the linear energy transfer (LET) of a particle and its spectra in exposed track detectors. The contribution describes the method of LET Spectrometry based on the track parameter analysis in chemically etched polyallyldiglycolcarbonate. It is founded on the etch rates ratios determination using an automatic image analyzer, the calibration had been performed by heavy charged particles. The range of etch rate ratios established corresponded to the LET in tissue between 100 and 6000 MeV.cm 2.g −1. The method was tested in the field of a 252Cf neutron source, the LET spectra established in some other beams and fields are also presented.