Neutron-irradiation effects on track etching characteristics of polyester nuclear track detector

Abstract

The effects of reactor neutron irradiation on the etching characteristics of a locally available Garware polyester film have been studied. The effects in the neutron fluence range of 4.57×10¹⁵–1.83×10¹⁶ n/cm² on the fission track registration efficiency and the bulk etch rate are investigated. From the results, it is found that the bulk etch rates increase with the increase in neutron fluence. The increase in etch rates can be explained on the basis of scission of the detector due to neutron irradiation which enhances the dissolution rates. From the measured bulk etch rates at different temperatures, the activation energies for bulk etching at different values of neutron fluence have also been determined. The changes induced by neutron irradiation in the polyester detector have also been studied by UV-visible spectroscopic technique. The neutron irradiation enhances the UV absorbance of the detector, which is a direct consequence of the formation of new chemical species due to scission of the detector.

Keywords:

• Polyester nuclear track detector
• Reactor neutron irradiation
• Fission track registration efficiencies
• Etch rates
• Activation energy of bulk etching
• UV-visible spectroscopy

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr V. K. Manchanda, Head, Radiochemistry Division for his encouragement and support during this work.