Calibration studies and the application of nuclear track detectors to the detection of charged particles

This paper describes calibration studies of solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) of he CR-39/PM-355 type. A dozen or so PM-355 detector samples were cut out from detector sheets delivered at different times and were irradiated with mono-energetic protons, deurerons and helium ions of energy ranging up to a few MeV. After that, the samples were etched and track opening diameters were determined as a function of particle energy and detector etching time. These studies were motivated by the application of the detectors in fusion experiments to measure energetic ions which escape high-temperature plasmas. The calibration diagrams obtained enable us to compare the relative sensitivities of detectors from different batches and to use these detectors in an optimal way. - Highlights: ► SSNTDs is a very useful diagnostic tool in high-temperature plasma experiments. ► To use these detectors optimally, each new batch should be calibrated. ► These detectors are relevant to measure charged particles emitted from plasmas. ► The detectors bought recently reveal bigger craters than those manufactured earlier. ► This can result from different technological procedures used to produce the detector