Recoil Tracks Research Articles

Optimization of microwave-induced chemical etching for rapid development of neutron-induced recoil tracks in CR-39 detectors

A systematic investigation is carried out to optimize the recently established microwave-induced chemical etching (MICE) parameters for rapid development of neutron-induced recoil tracks in CR-39 detectors. Several combinations of all available microwave powers with different etching durations were analysed to determine the most suitable etching condition. The etching duration was found to reduce with increasing microwave power and the tracks were observed at about 18, 15, 12, and 6min for 300, 450, 600 and 900W of microwave powers respectively compared to a few hours in chemical etching (CE) method. However, for complete development of tracks the etching duration of 30, 40, 50 and 60min were found to be suitable for the microwave powers of 900, 600, 450 and 300W, respectively. Temperature profiles of the etchant for all the available microwave powers at different etching durations were generated to regulate the etching process in a controlled manner. The bulk etch rates at different microwave powers were determined by 2 methods, viz., gravimetric and removed thickness methods. A logarithmic expression was used to fit the variation of bulk etch rate with microwave power. Neutron detection efficiencies were obtained for all the cases and the results on track parameters obtained with MICE technique were compared with those obtained from another detector processed with chemical etching.

Measurement of fast neutron spectra from the interaction of 20 MeV protons with thick Be and C targets using CR-39 detector

Fast neutron spectral yield from the interaction of 20MeV protons with thick Be and C targets are measured using CR-39 detectors. An image analysing program (autoTRAK_n) dedicated for neutron spectrum generation and dose estimation is developed based on the analysis of greylevel variations within each track and is used in the present study. The most important parameters for neutron spectrometry, i.e., track depth (length) and angle of all neutron-induced recoil tracks are determined using autoTRAK_n. The methodology is tested successfully to reproduce the spectra of some standard neutron sources which was reported earlier. In this study, autoTRAK_n is applied to generate neutron spectra from the above mentioned reactions, i.e., 9Be(p, n), 12C(p, n) and the neutron yields (total number of neutrons per projectile) for both the reactions are determined by folding the track density with the detector response. The dose equivalents and H∗(10)-to-fluence ratios are also estimated. All these quantities are automatically obtained from the program. The neutron yield and the dose equivalent for 9Be(p, n) reaction are found to be about 4 times higher than that for 12C(p, n) reaction. The present methodology for neutron spectrum generation is found to be simple and effective and does not involve the complex spectrum unfolding procedures.

Characterization of single α-tracks by photoresist detection and AFM analysis–focus on biomedical science and technology

The interactions between energetic ions and biological and/or organic target materials have recently attracted theoretical and experimental attention, due to their implications for detector and device technologies, and for therapeutic applications. Most of the attention has focused on detection of the primary ionization tracks, and their effects, while recoil target atom tracks remain largely unexplored. Detection of tracks by a negative tone photoresist (SU-8), followed by standard development, in combination with analysis by atomic force microscopy, shows that both primary and recoil tracks are revealed as conical spikes, and can be characterized at high spatial resolution. The methodology has the potential to provide detailed information about single impact events, which may lead to more effective and informative detector technologies and advanced therapeutic procedures. In comparison with current characterization methods the advantageous features include: greater spatial resolution by an order of magnitude (20 nm); detection of single primary and associated recoil tracks; increased range of fluence (to 2.5 × 109 cm−2); sensitivity to impacts at grazing angle incidence; and better definition of the lateral interaction volume in target materials.

Geometric analysis of radiation damage connectivity in zircon, and its implications for helium diffusion

Geometrical modeling of radiation damages zones from α recoil and fission that accounts for their elongate nature provides new estimates of the doses required to reach percolation and full connectivity in zircon. Alpha recoil track damage percolates at doses from 2.5–3.1 × 10 16 α/g based on our calculations, about two orders of magnitude lower than previous estimates, with the difference partially due to elongation and partially due to decay chains creating pre-made networks of connected tracks. This dose level is far below that required for metamictization, and suggests that α recoil track percolation has no effect on macroscopic or unit-cell properties, at least as measured to date. However, fission tracks percolate at a dose of approximately 1.9 × 10 18 α/g, the approximate level formerly ascribed to α recoil damage percolation and correlating with various transitions in material properties, such as an inflection in the relationship between dose and macroscopic swelling. Consideration of the undamaged regions between damage zones indicates that c -axis-parallel channels are frequently interrupted, at the micrometer scale at very low doses and tens of nanometers at usual doses in natural zircon, with the probable effect of decreasing diffusivity anisotropy. The percolation and further interconnectivity of α recoil damage corresponds with a general minimum in diffusivity and maximum in closure temperature in zircon, indicating that α recoil damage percolation does not make a grain “leaky”, but instead quite the opposite. Instead, the onset of poor He retentivity at high damage levels correlates with fission-track percolation. Some of these results are non-intuitive with respect to the trapping model of He diffusivity reduction, and the alternative mechanism of tortuosity is discussed.

R&D Status of Nuclear Emulsion for Directional Dark Matter Search

In this study, we are doing R&D for directional dark matter search with nuclear emulsion. First of all, higher resolution nuclear emulsion with fine silver halide crystals was developed in the production facility of emulsion at Nagoya university, and we confirmed that it can detect the expected nuclear recoil tracks. The readout of submicron tracks was required the new technology. We developed the expansion technique, and could readout the signal by shape analysis with optical microscopy. The two dimensional angular resolution is 36 degrees at the original track length of range from 150 nm to 200 nm with optical microscopy. Finally we demonstrated by using recoiled nuclei induced by 14.8 MeV neutron, and confirmed the technique. Moreover, we developed the X-ray microscope system with SPring-8 as final check with higher resolution of selected candidate tracks with optical microscopy. The angular resolution was improved from 31 degree with optical microscopy to 17 degree with X-ray microscopy at the track length of range from 150 nm to 250 nm. We are developing the practical system and planning for start of the test running with prototype detector.

Status and Prospects of the DMTPC Directional Dark Matter Experiment

The DMTPC directional dark matter detection experiment is a low-pressure CF4 gas time projection chamber, instrumented with charge and scintillation photon readout. This detector design strategy emphasizes reconstruction of WIMP-induced nuclear recoil tracks, in order to determine the direction of incident dark matter particles. Directional detection has the potential to make the definitive observation of dark matter using the unique angular signature of the dark matter wind, which is distinct from all known backgrounds. This talk will briefly review the experimental technique and current status of DMTPC.

Data acquisition electronics and reconstruction software for real time 3D track reconstruction within the MIMAC project

Directional detection of non-baryonic Dark Matter requires 3D reconstruction of low energy nuclear recoils tracks. A gaseous micro-TPC matrix, filled with either 3He, CF4 or C4H10 has been developed within the MIMAC project.A dedicated acquisition electronics and a real time track reconstruction software have been developed to monitor a 512 channel prototype. This auto-triggered electronic uses embedded processing to reduce the data transfer to its useful part only, i.e. decoded coordinates of hit tracks and corresponding energy measurements. An acquisition software with on-line monitoring and 3D track reconstruction is also presented.

Magnetic inelastic dark matter: Directional signals without a directional detector

The magnetic inelastic dark matter (MiDM) model, in which dark matter inelastically scatters off nuclei through a magnetic dipole interaction, has previously been shown to reconcile the DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation signal with null results from other experiments. In this work, we explore the unique directional detection signature of MiDM. After the dark matter scatters into its excited state, it decays with a lifetime of order $1\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$ and emits a photon with energy $\ensuremath{\sim}100\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{keV}$. Both the nuclear recoil and the corresponding emitted photon can be detected by studying delayed coincidence events. The recoil track and velocity of the excited state can be reconstructed from the nuclear interaction vertex and the photon event vertex. The angular distribution of the WIMP recoil tracks is sharply peaked and modulates daily. It is therefore possible to observe the directional modulation of WIMP-nucleon scattering without a large-volume gaseous directional detection experiment. Furthermore, current experiments such as XENON100 can immediately measure this directional modulation and constrain the MiDM parameter space with an exposure of a few thousand $\mathrm{kg}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\mathrm{day}$.

Observations of short-range, high-LET recoil tracks in CR-39 plastic nuclear track detector by visible light microscopy

Abstract Using standard visible light microscopy, we are able to observe particle tracks produced by The tracks we observe in CR-39 PNTD irradiated in these experiments are the result of residual heavy recoil fragments returning to equilibrium via evaporation processes following proton-induced knock out of light particles via preequilibrium processes. Because the heavy recoil particles are very near the end of their ranges (i.e. in the Bragg peak), their LET is extremely high and changes rapidly. Consequently, the tracks they produce in CR-39 PNTD often take the form of long tubes rather than the conical etch pits produced by higher energy particles.

Simulations of the nuclear recoil head–tail signature in gases relevant to directional dark matter searches

We present the first detailed simulations of the so-called head–tail effect of nuclear recoils in gas, the presence of which is vital to directional WIMP dark matter searches. We include comparison simulations of the range and straggling of carbon, sulphur and fluorine recoils in low pressure gas. However, the prime focus is a detailed investigation of carbon and sulphur recoils in 40 Torr negative ion carbon disulfide, a gas proposed for use in large scale directional detectors. The focus is to determine whether the location of the majority of the ionization charge released and observed from a recoil track in carbon disulfide is at the beginning (tail) of the track, at the end (head) or evenly distributed. We used the SRIM simulation program, together with a purpose-written Monte Carlo generator to model production of ionizing pairs, diffusion and basic readout geometries relevant to potential real detector scenarios, such as under development for the DRIFT experiment. The results indicate the likely existence of a head–tail track asymmetry but with a magnitude critically influenced by several competing factors, notably the W-value assumed, the drift distance and diffusion, and the recoil energy.

Morphology of heavy ions irradiated mica

The samples of natural mica (muscovite and biotite) were irradiated with energetic heavy ions [ 136Xe (11.56 MeV/n) and 197Au (11.40 MeV/n)] from universal linear accelerator (UNILAC) GSI, Darmstadt, Germany. The simple track etch technique has been used to develop and analyze the morphology of induced heavy ions and natural alpha recoil tracks with the help of atomic force microscopy. Defective structure and lattice disorder have been observed in the environs of the etch pits in these layered crystalline materials. The distribution of defects produced along the tracks, geometrical analysis of tracks shapes and shallowness and their correlations with the structural arrangement of the materials have been discussed in the present investigation. Importance of different ion track geometries in micaceous minerals for the fabrication of nanoterrace material with different stacks having sharp edges with unique properties has been elaborated in the present paper.

Data acquisition electronics and reconstruction software for directional detection of dark matter with MIMAC

Directional detection of galactic dark matter requires 3D reconstruction of low energy nuclear recoils tracks. A dedicated acquisition electronics with auto triggering feature and a real time track reconstruction software have been developed within the framework of the MIMAC project of detector. This auto-triggered acquisition electronic uses embedded processing to reduce data transfer to its useful part only, i.e. decoded coordinates of hit tracks and corresponding energy measurements. An acquisition software with online monitoring and 3D track reconstruction is also presented.

Investigation of fast neutron spectra in the uranium assembly of the experimental setup “energy plus transmutation” in the JINR Nuclotron proton beam at an energy of 1.5 GeV

The “energy plus transmutation (EPT)” electro-nuclear experimental assembly (lead target surrounded with natural uranium blanket) was irradiated with protons of energy 1.5 GeV from the Nuclotron accelerator of the JINR. The energy spectrum of the neutrons in the EPT was determined by examination of 5000 proton recoil tracks in the nuclear emulsion spectrometer that was developed for these measurements. The measured energy spectrum was corrected for the laboratory background events in the emulsion. The neutron spectrum extends from 0.5 to 200 MeV. The weighted mean energy of the neutrons is in the range of 4–6 MeV depending on the energy cutoff boundaries of the spectrum. The obtained experimental results were compared with Monte Carlo calculations using the MCNPX 2.6C code and the origins of the observed discrepancies are discussed.

Annealing behavior of alpha recoil tracks in phlogopite

In this study we present and interpret a new experimental data set documenting thermal annealing of alpha recoil tracks (ARTs) in phlogopite. Through improvements in experimental technique, difficulties in obtaining useable data from material with an uneven distribution of U and Th were overcome. The resulting annealing pattern was well organized on an Arrhenius plot, allowing construction of a simple, 3-parameter annealing model of parallel contours of constant annealing with a linear progression. Our data and model indicate that phlogopite ARTs anneal at very low temperatures on geological time scales. At the million-year time scale, full annealing requires a temperature of only 33 °C, and we infer closure temperatures from 26–37 °C for cooling rates of 10–100 °C/m.y. Phlogopite ART analysis is thus likely to be primarily useful in relatively young (<1 Ma) terrains featuring either recent volcanism or recent, fast exhumation. In such situations, however, it may provide unique information on the timing of the final stages of unroofing. Comparison of our results with previous studies on ART and fission-track annealing in phlogopite and biotite indicates that these two types of radiation damage anneal at disparate time and temperature conditions in biotite-series micas.

Electrochemical etching technique for neutron dosimetry

In the present work we have employed allyl diglycol carbonate (CR-39) and cellulose triacetate (CTA) plastic for detection of neutron recoil tracks without radiator. For CR-39, the results reveal that registration efficiency is a function of duration of chemical pre-etching and the best results are obtained with chemical pre-etching of 3 hours. It was also investigated that the ac field strength of 28 kV/cm having 2.5 kHz frequency was optimum for revelation of tracks. Interestingly the sensitivity is fluence dependent and it was constant up to a fluence of about 108 n/cm2. The sensitivity abruptly decreased with increased fluence. At optimum experimental conditions the minimum detection limit for CR-39 was found to be 0.47 mSv. For CTA, the tracks have been revealed by electrochemical etching (ECE) only and the minimum detection limit was found to be 0.85 mSv at optimum experimental parameters.

First measurement of the head–tail directional nuclear recoil signature at energies relevant to WIMP dark matter searches

We present first evidence for the so-called head–tail directional signature of neutron-induced nuclear recoil tracks at energies down to 1.5 keV/amu using the DRIFT-IIc dark matter detector. This regime is appropriate for recoils induced by Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMPs) but one where the differential ionization is poorly understood. We show that the distribution of recoil energies and directions induced here by 252Cf neutrons matches well that expected from massive WIMPs. The results open a powerful new means of searching for a galactic signature from WIMPs.

Improved measurement of the ‘head-tail’ effect in nuclear recoils

We present new results with a prototype detector that is being developed by the DMTPC collaboration for the measurement of the direction tag (‘head-tail’) of dark matter wind. We use neutrons from a 252Cf source to create low-momentum nuclear recoils in elastic scattering with the residual gas nuclei. The recoil track is imaged in low-pressure time-projection chamber with optical readout. We measure the ionization rate along the recoil trajectory, which allows us to determine the direction tag of the incoming neutrons.

Revelation of nuclear tracks and dislocations: A Monte Carlo simulation of mineral etching

A simple atomistic Monte Carlo simulation suggests that there are up to four stages in the evolution of an etch pit in the (0 0 1)-surface of an idealised regular lattice. During the first stage, the etch pit is an inverted pyramid; its horizontal and vertical dimensions increase at a constant rate; the apparent horizontal ( v h) and vertical ( v d) growth rates are faster than during all subsequent stages but nevertheless less than the step retreat rate ( v s) on account of surface etching ( v v). The pyramid apex is truncated in the second stage; it is thereafter bounded by an expanding bottom plane and shrinking lateral walls; this is accompanied by a gradual decrease of v h; v d drops to a negative value indicating a slow decrease of the etch-pit depth; the bottom plane acquires a concave-up curvature; the outward curvature of the walls, initiated during the first stage, increases. During the third stage the etch pit consists of a single concave-up bottom plane; v h and v d decrease at declining rates; consecutive etch-pit profiles are scalable in the horizontal direction. The hypothetical fourth stage is inferred but not documented by the simulations; it sets in when v h is reduced to zero; unless this corresponds to an as yet unidentified steady-state condition, the etch pit from here on forth shrinks until it eventually disappears altogether. The sole cause for this succession is the process of stochastic rounding of confined steps and faces. The triangular footprint of recoil-track, fission-track, ion-track and dislocation etch pits in trioctahedral mica and its compliance with the monoclinic symmetries implies that the relevant periodic bond chains are O–Mg/Fe–O chains in the octahedral layer. The size distribution of etched recoil tracks is due to (1) depth variations resulting from the size distribution of the latent tracks, (2) the random truncation of the surface tracks, (3) the variable rate of etch-pit enlargement and (4) the fact that new tracks are exposed at the surface due to surface etching. The greater size of dislocation, fission-track and ion-track etch pits is due to their greater extent below the surface. The increase of the number of etched tracks with etching time due to bulk etching is non-linear because the bulk etch rate v v is not constant. The evolution of etch-pit shape with continued etching can also cause loss of tracks due to observation effects related to loss of contrast.

The etching of alpha-recoil tracks in phlogopite

This work uses three phlogopite samples to investigate the etching behavior of alpha-recoil tracks ( α -recoil tracks), which is a key problem in dating procedures. At the initial stage of the etching process, the number of alpha-recoil tracks increased linearly with etching time, then the linearity was interrupted due to the overlapping of alpha-recoil tracks. The slope of the etching line could be similar and also could be different both in the same sample and in different samples. It is shown that the etching time could vary with different contents of U and Th and could not exceed 200 min in 4% HF acid at 25 ± 1 ∘ C in order to get a satisfactory etching line and to calculate the exact density. We propose two valid methods that can accurately determine the position of the sample's surface and may reduce the alpha-recoil track dating errors.

Directional recoil rates for WIMP direct detection

New techniques for the laboratory direct detection of dark matter weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are sensitive to the recoil direction of the struck nuclei. We compute and compare the directional recoil rates $dR/d\mathrm{cos}\ensuremath{\theta}$ (where $\ensuremath{\theta}$ is the angle measured from a reference direction in the sky) for several WIMP velocity distributions including the standard dark halo and anisotropic models such as Sikivie's late-infall halo model and logarithmic-ellipsoidal models. Since some detectors may be unable to distinguish the beginning of the recoil track from its end (lack of head-tail discrimination), we introduce a folded directional recoil rate $dR/d|\mathrm{cos}\ensuremath{\theta}|$, where $|\mathrm{cos}\ensuremath{\theta}|$ does not distinguish the head from the tail of the track. We compute the ${\mathrm{CS}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{CF}}_{4}$ exposures required to distinguish a signal from an isotropic background noise, and find that $dR/d|\mathrm{cos}\ensuremath{\theta}|$ is effective for the standard dark halo and some but not all anisotropic models.