Varying Track Etch Rates along the Fission Fragments' Trajectories in CR-39 Detectors

Abstract

We determine the behavior of track etch rate VT along the tracks in CR-39 detectors exposed to fission fragments from 252Cf source. CR-39 detectors are etched at 70°C in different concentrations of Na2CO3-mixed 6M NaOH solutions for different etching time intervals of 5–10 min starting from 15 min up to 210 min. Two values of track etch rate are determined along the fission fragment trajectories. The variation in VT is correlated with the energy loss rate of the fission fragment in the detector material.