[en] This work concerns the influence of high temperatures on tracks induced in solid state nuclear track detectors of the CR-39/PM-355 type. In order to investigate this effect some samples of the detectors were irradiated with energetic protons and α particles and subsequently heated under controlled temperatures for different periods of time. After heating the samples were etched and the track evolution was analyzed using an optical microscope. The bulk etch rate V_B of the PM-355 material was also determined as a function of heating temperature. The track etch rate V_T values were estimated for craters induced by protons and α particles from track diameter measurement as a function of heating temperature.

[en] Highlights: ► Each new batch of PM-355 material should be carefully calibrated. ► The detectors heated at a temperature higher than 100 °C demonstrate v nearly equal to 1. ► The dependence of V_B on the temperature is similar to the dependence of V_B on the dose of electron and gamma radiation. ► The aging effect of these materials also has a significant influence on the track diameter. - Abstract: This paper describes calibration studies of PM-355 detectors manufactured at different times in order to compare their sensitivity to the investigated ions. These studies were motivated by the application of solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) in fusion experiments to measure energetic ions escaping from high-temperature plasmas. The CR-39 detector and its new versions such as PM-355, PM-500, PM-600 have been examined for several years at our institute. The PM-355 plastic appeared to be the best, especially for the detection of light ions. However, to use these detectors optimally, especially in spectroscopic measurements, each new batch of PM-355 material should be carefully calibrated. In high temperature plasma experiments the detectors operate under harsh conditions of high temperature, heat impact, intense X-ray, neutron and fast electron radiation. In order to evaluate the effect of these conditions on the crater formation process, some of the α particle- and proton-irradiated PM-355 detector samples were heated in an oven and then etched and scanned. Other alpha- and proton-irradiated samples were exposed to γ and electron radiation of doses varying from 100 to 2000 kGy. The irradiated samples were then etched in steps and the bulk etching rate v_B of the PM-355 material was determined. The craters induced by the projectiles in both heated and γ and electron irradiated samples differ considerably from the craters observed in non irradiated and non heated samples. Finally, based on the collected data an attempt was made to compare the sensitivity function of detectors from different deliveries, as well as those that were subjected to extreme external conditions. To this end we estimated the values of the sensitivity function v=(v_T)/(v_B) for the detectors in question using mainly the simple model of two etching rates v_T and v_B .

[en] Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors of the CR-39/PM-355 type were irradiated with protons with energies in the range from 0.2 to 8.5 MeV. Their intensities and energies were controlled by a Si surface barrier detector located in an accelerator scattering chamber. The ranges of protons with energies of 6–7 MeV were comparable to the thickness of the PM-355 track detectors. Latent tracks in the polymeric detectors were chemically etched under standard conditions to develop the tracks. Standard optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used for surface morphology characterization

[en] Highlights: • To use CR-39 detectors carefully calibration measurements were carried out. • The computer simulations were conducted in order to estimate conversion factor. • The activation technique were also used for verification of obtained results. This paper reports on applicability of a polyallyl-diglycol-carbonate (PADC) detectors of the CR-39 TASTRAK type as integrated neutron uence sensors for monitoring of neutrons emitted from 14 MeV neutron generator. Neutron generators such as SODERN Model: GENIE 16 D are powerful emitters of fusion neutrons from DT reactions with yields up to 2 × 10⁸ n·s⁻¹. The presented generator is now available worldwide as a source of neutrons with a rather wide range of applications in medicine, industry and in the detection of hazardous materials. Before using in those measurements, the CR-39 TASTRAK type detector was precisely calibrated. Rectangular track detector samples prepared for neutron ux measurements are in the form of “sandwiches” consisting of a detector plate covered by a thick polythene (PE) radiator and in some part by a Cu-filter. In order to estimate how many neutrons could be converted into recoil-protons we have performed computer calculations by means of MC methods.

[en] This paper presents the results of the influence of soft X-ray radiation on craters induced in SSNTDs by energetic α particles and protons of energy in the MeV range. We checked two detectors of the PM-355 and CR-39 types in order to verify and compare their resistance to the harsh conditions of high-temperature plasma experiments. To determine this effect some detector samples were first irradiated with α particles emitted from natural α particle sources and protons delivered by a particle accelerator. After that these samples were exposed to soft X ray radiation emitted from an X ray tube and also from the PF-1000 Plasma Focus facility. Doses during X ray irradiations varied from 0 up to tens of kGy. The irradiated samples were then etched in steps and track diameters were determined versus the absorbed dose and etching time and compared with those measured in samples not exposed to X ray radiation. - Highlights: • We present the results of the influence of soft X ray radiation on craters induced in SSNTDs. • We checked two detectors of the PM-355 and CR-39 types. • The CR-39 detector is more resistant to X ray radiation than the PM-355 one. • The results demonstrate that the soft X ray can have considerable influence on nuclear track detectors.

[en] Changes in the sensitivity function due to fading of the tracks in CR-39/PM-355 detectors stored over a 9 – year period have been studied using protons in the energy range 0.2–6 MeV. The irradiated and non–irradiated detectors were stored in air at room temperature in the absence of light. The track diameters were found to decrease as time passed from the detector exposure to etching. The bulk etch rate V_B is not affected by ageing effects and remains almost constant over a nine year period of storage. The sensitivity function V = V_T/V_B represents a small loss of sensitivity with storage time (about 1–2% per year). - Highlights: • Changes in the sensitivity function stored over a 9-year period have been studied. • The sensitivity function indicates a small loss of about 1–2% per year. • Results indicate that the bulk etch rate VB is almost constant. • The etching procedure must be exactly reproduced.