Etching of glass solid state nuclear track detectors in aqueous solutions of (NH4)HF2, NaOH and KOH

Experiments have been carried out on fission fragment track development characteristics of soda-lime glass track detectors when etched in aqueous solutions of (NH4)HF2, NaOH and KOH. The parameters studied include track development efficiency, etch pit diameter, and etching velocities. The results show that among these etchants ammonium bifluoride has the maximum, and NaOH the minimum track development efficiency. In order to optimise etching conditions various etchant concentrations have been tried. The comparison of these results with those obtained by using HF indicates (1) that aqueous solutions of NaOH and KOH are less efficient and produce shallower tracks than those produced by HF, and (2) that the development efficiencies of HF acid and aqueous solutions of (NH4)HF2 are quite comparable. (author)