Effect of an ultrasonic field on etched track formation in dielectric nuclear track detectors

The method for developing charged-particle tracks in dielectric nuclear track detectors by etching in an alkaline solution under the effect of an ultrasonic field is examined. The parameters of the particle tracks thus exposed differ substantially from those obtained by conventional chemical etching. The ultrasonic field has been shown to improve the etching selectivity of tracks in a detector. The dependences of the etching velocity in the ultrasonic field on various parameters are studied. A probable explanation for the found effect is given. (author)