Improvement in the Sample Mass-Change-Method used for Determination of the Bulk Etch Rate of CR-39 Neutron Detector

Abstract

The bulk etch rate is an important parameter of any etch-track detector. An accurate measurement of the bulk etch rate is, therefore, highly desirable in the calibration of a CR-39-based neutron dosimeter. Amongst several available bulk etch rate measuring techniques, the sample mass change technique is claimed to be the most accurate one. We carried out systematic experiments and found that even this method has some limitations. The problems associated with this method are discussed. To circumvent these problems, modifications in the sample mass change technique have been suggested.