Track core size estimation in CR-39 track detector using atomic force microscope and UV-visible spectrophotometer

The radial size of track cores in CR-39 plastics for several types of ions has been determined by two different methods. First, atomic force microscope observations were performed on the irradiated CR-39 subsequent to the slight chemical etchings. The track core radii for C, O, Ne and Xe ions evaluated from the intersections of the extrapolated lines, fitted to each growth curve of etch pit radius, were found to be in the range between 2.8 and 4.1 nm, independent of the ion species. Second, UV-visible spectra of the irradiated CR-39 were obtained at various fluences. Based on a track overlapping model, the track core radii are evaluated for H, He, C and O ions. Their core radii were almost proportional to the cube root of the stopping power. The results from the two different measurements are in good agreement with each other