Superheated liquid and its place in radiation physics

Abstract

Superheated liquid drops suspended in a visco-elastic gel (known as a superheated drop detector) or in a more rigid polymer matrix (known as a bubble detector) are known to be a useful tool in radiation physics. Superheated liquids have been used as radiation detectors in health physics, medical physics, space physics, nuclear and high energy physics. In addition, the physics of nucleation is not fully understood and requires further investigation. The present paper discusses the special features of a superheated drop detector which has made its place in almost all branches of radiation physics within 20 years of its discovery.