Track etch rate characteristics of makrofol polycarbonate plastic detector exposed to xenon ions

Track etch rate characteristics of makrofol polycarbonate plastic detector exposed to 54Xe129 heavy ions of 7.5 MeV/n energy at GSI, Darmstadt have been investigated. It is observed that the bulk etching rate, as well as track etching rate, (by keeping the concentration of the etchant constant) both increase with the increase of etching temperature. The threshold value of energy loss rate of makrofol polycarbonate has been determined and found to be 4.29 MeV mg-1 cm-2. The suitability of single sheet charged particle identification method has been examined. Using this method, the makrofol detector is found to be quite suitable for identifying low energy Xe ions. (author)