Track etch rates along the trajectories of nitrogen and oxygen ions in CR-39

Experimental studies on track etch rates in CR-39 performed with protons, deuterons and alpha particles as well as ⁷Li, ¹¹B and ¹²C ions were extended to ¹⁴N and ¹⁶O ions. The results are compatible with the general systematics found for the dependence on the kind of ion and its initial energy. Analysing the etch rate ratios as function of the restricted energy loss (REL), the non-existence of a unique relationship has been confirmed. However, assuming a dependence of the etch rate ratio not only on REL, but also on the depth within the detector where a given REL value occurs, all experimental data could be adjusted. The experiments with ¹⁴N and ¹⁶O ions allow extension of the REL range studied up to about 14 000 MeV/cm. The whole area relevant to neutron-induced charged particles generated within the CR-39 detectors is covered thereby. Having added the data for ¹⁴N and ¹⁶O ions, the array of curves for the etch rate ratio could be expanded up to 14 000 MeV/cm without inconsistencies, demonstrating the compatibility of the new data set also quantitatively.