On the registration of protons, deuterons and alpha particles using CN-track detectors

The low sensitivity of the commercial solid state track detectors (SSTD) has caused a novel SSTD to be developed in the Central Institute for Nuclear Rerearch at Rossendorf. The properties of this SSTD made from cellulose nitrate will be presented in this report. The high sensitivity of the detector material enables the registration of protons and deuterons with a high reliability. In addition the efficiency in the detection of alpha particles has been improved. The threshold energies for the registration of protons, deuterons and alpha particles were measured. The etchable track lengths and the threshold energies for the detection of 3H, 3He, 6He and 8He have been predicted. These predictions are based on a relation found for the etch rate ratios of the light particle investigated experimentally and the so-called 'Primary Radiation Damage Density'. An empirical function for the calculation of the local track etch rate is to be given. Furthermore methods for the energy determination of protons and alpha particles are presented. The influence of different effects on the accuracy, the energy resolution and the efficiency of these methods are discussed. (author)