BULK AND TRACK ETCH RATE STUDIES WITH SOME SOLID DIELECTRIC TRACK DETECTORS

In the present work, the bulk-etch rates for mica, Lexan and cellulose acetate have been experimentally measured with 40% HF, 6.25N NaOH+ethyl alcohol (1:1) and 6.25N NaOH as the etchants, respectively. From the measured bulk-etch rates at different temperatures, the activation energies for bulk-etching have been obtained. The track-etch rates have been studied with fission product tracks, using a 252Cf source. The measured track-etch rates show a linear dependence on the calculated energy-loss rates. From a plot of the track-etch rate against the energy-loss rate, the critical energy-loss rates for the three solid dielectric track detectors have also been obtained. © 1979.