Etch Track Detectors in Radiation Dosimetry

High-energy neutron spectrometry

“…; at higher energies, the promising reac tions are the fission reactions of the nuclei of Au, Pb or Bi, as well as the spallation reactions with the produc tion of fragments or unstable nuclides whose yield is of pronounced threshold character, with threshold value in the range from a few tens to a few hundred MeV. There are several implementations of this method dif fering in the way the events are registered: activation method [42][43][44], solid state nuclear track detector method [45,46] and electronic methods of detecting charged particles and fission fragments. The Bonner sphere method (spherical moderator method) was first proposed for spectrometry of low energy neutrons in 1960 [47] and, being simple to real ize, it subsequently found rather wide application in studying neutron fields at accelerators, as well as in the upper atmosphere and aboard spacecrafts.…”

From the similarities between neutrons and radon to advanced radon-detection and improved cold fusion neutron-measurements

“…Since their discovery, damage track detectors have been extensively investigated for the solution of the complex problem of personal neutron dosimetry [5][6]. Most of the scientists, actively engaged in the late 60's and in the 70's in personal neutron monitoring, extended their interests in the field of radon monitoring, by using the same track detectors in both fields of measurements [6][7][8].…”

“…Most of the scientists, actively engaged in the late 60's and in the 70's in personal neutron monitoring, extended their interests in the field of radon monitoring, by using the same track detectors in both fields of measurements [6][7][8].…”

“…This first radon badge consisted of a chamber, into which radon was allowed to diffuse, enclosing a nuclear track detector to register the alpha particles, emitted from radon and its decay products [10]. This monitor, instead of a radon film badge, should be considered the first in-air radon-diffusion chamber, the principle of which has been exploited in all existing passive radon-monitors [12][13] For more than one decade, polycarbonate and cellulose nitrate detectors were the most common plastic detectors for both neutron and radon dosimetry [6]. It was only in 1978 that the poly-allyl diglycol carbonate-PADC detector (known with its trade name CR-39: Columbia resin 1939) was first introduced as track detector [14].…”

“…One of the most popular neutron film-badge is based on a CR-39 foil facing a polyethylene radiator [6]. Unfortunately this neutron badge is also a radon monitor because of the radon absorption by Polyethylene, which has a a radon solubility S= 4.…”