ESR investigations of electron-beam irradiated cellulose nitrate

Electron spin resonance investigations on an electron-beam irradiated solid state nuclear track detector, based on cellulose nitrate (KODAK LR-311), are reported. The nature of free radicals induced in polymers by irradiation is discussed. The dependence of resonance spectral parameters on irradiation times, as well as on storage time and temperature, is studied. The experimental results are related to the stability of latent tracks and it is concluded that the free radicals induced by irradiation are located within the latent tracks. We have shown that both latent track and free radical thermal fading obey an Arrheniuslike dependence, with the same activation energy.     

Investigation of nuclear reaction products by atomic force microscopy

The use of Atomic Force Microscope (AFM, from Corporate Head, Santa Clara, California, USA) opened a new way to study latent nuclear tracks. In our experiments we used plastic track detectors of the type CR-39 (Columbia Resin No. 39) Impinging ions with energy above a threshold of 180 keV can alter the molecular structure forming latent tracks. Since nuclear latent tracks have diameters in the range of 10 to 1000 nm, they can be visualized by AFM with a slight chemical etching (6 min in 6 n NaOH solution at 70 °C). These tracks are significant for the energy, momentum and the mass of the incoming particles. In our study, passive CR-39 detectors were irradiated by secondary particles produced bombarding ¹⁰³Rh by ¹⁶O and ¹²C in a wide range of energy (1 MeV/amu to 33 MeV/amu) at the MP Tandem generator of the Laboratorio Nazionale del Sud in Catania, Italy. The experiment was carried out in order to identify the secondary particles and to determine their density and the spatial distribution.     

Thermal annealing of heavy ion tracks in muscovite mica

Abstract

Thermal annealing of latent tracks caused by the passage of heavy ions, viz. Pb²⁰⁸ (13.8 MeV/n) and Ni⁵⁸ (15.37 MeV/n), in muscovite mica is investigated. The activation energy for track annealing, determined using different annealing models, is compared. The effect of thermal annealing on size and energy resolution of heavy ions in mica, based on the track etch rate and track length reduction, is discussed.     

Ionizing particles may create shockwaves

To find a model that describes the gas diffusion on irradiated polymers (Makrofol KG polycarbonate) the diffusion constants have been measured with argon as diffusion gas. The polymers were irradiated with uranium, gold and lead ions of about 10 MeV/u and ion fluences between 1×10¹⁰ and 4×10¹¹ ions/cm². The ion irradiated probes show two quite different dependencies of the diffusion constant on the ion energy loss. These effects are strongly related to the fluence of the irradiation. In case of low ion fluences, the diffusion constant is up to 8 times higher than that of pristine material. In the probes with high ion fluences we observe a decrease of diffusion constant to half the value of the pristine material. To understand the dependence of the diffusion constant on ion fluences we apply a model of compacting. This model describes the compacting ability of shockwaves arising from latent tracks. A track formation model is suggested. When an ion penetrates the foil it creates shockwaves around its path. These shockwaves put compacting forces on earlier created latent tracks in the same foil.     

Effect of secondary electrons from latent tracks created in YBCO by swift heavy ion irradiation

Swift heavy ions (SHI) with electronic energy loss exceeding a value of 14.4 keVnm⁻¹ create amorphized latent tracks in YBCO type superconductors. In the low fluence regime of an ion beam where tracks do not overlap, a decrease of the superconducting transition temperature as probed through resistivity studies, is not expected due to availability of percolating current paths. The present study however shows T_c decrease by about 1–3 K in thin films of YBCO when irradiated by 250 MeVAg ions at 79 K at a fluence of 5×10¹⁰–1×10¹² ionscm⁻². The highest fluence used in the present study is three times less than the fluence where track overlapping becomes significant. The T_c tends to increase towards the preirradiation value on annealing the films at room temperature. To explain this unusual result, we consider the effect of ion irradiation in inducing materials modification not only through creation of amorphized latent tracks along the ion path, but also through creation of atomic disorder in the oxygen sublattice in the Cu–O chains of YBCO by the secondary electrons. These electrons are emitted radially from the tracks during the passage of the SHI. Considering the correlation between the charge state of copper and its oxygen coordination, we show in particular that the latter process is a consequence of the inelastic interaction of the SHI induced low-energy secondary electrons with the YBCO lattice, which result in chain oxygen disorder and T_c decrease.     

Observation of diffusion through ion irradiated Makrofol KG

The features of the latent track in polycarbonate can be analysed by measuring the diffusion constant under ultra high vacuum conditions. Stacks of 30 μm Makrofol KG foils were irradiated with uranium ions of 11.4 MeV/u at the GSI Darmstadt, Germany. We used different fluences from 3·10¹⁰ to 5·10¹¹ ions/cm². The diffusion constant was determined by the time-lag-method [1]. A quadrupole mass filter was used to observe the diffusion of the gas. We measured the diffusion of argon through different foils of each stack at room temperature. In all cases also unirradiated foils were measured. The dependence of the permeability and the diffusion constant on the ion fluence and the energy loss of the ions will be given and indications on the size of latent ion tracks concerning gas diffusion will be discussed.     

High energy heavy ion tracks in bubble detectors

Bubble detectors which are commonly used as neutron detectors have been demonstrated through this study to be good detectors for registration of high energy heavy ion tracks. Large size bubble detectors made in China Institute of Atomic Energy were irradiated to heavy ions Ar and C up to 650 MeV/u and 400 MeV/u, respectively. Very clear features of stringy tracks of high energy heavy ions and their fragmentations are manifested and distinguishable. A single track created by a specific high energy heavy ion is composed of a line of bubbles, which is visible by naked eyes and retained for months wihhout reduction in size. The creation of heavy ion tracks in bubble detectors is governed by a threshold whose essence is approximately a critical value of energy loss rate (dE/dX)_c similar to that of etch track detectors. Ranges of heavy ions in bubble detectors are apparent and predictable by existing formulas. Identification of high energy heavy ions and the applications to heavy ion physics, cosmic rays, exotic particles and cancer therapy monitoring are obviously promising. The experimental and theoretical aspects of high energy heavy ion tracks in bubble detectors as well as the expectable applications are presented and discussed.     

Electrolytes in etching of latent tracks of heavy ions in polyethylene terephthalate

Previously unknown features of etching of polyethylene terephthalate, latent tracks of multiply charged accelerated ions in it, and track membrane pore formation are considered. It was found that K ions (in the form of KCl salt) in a KOH solution enhance etching of both initial polyethylene terephthalate and tracks. Ba²⁺ ions enhancing etching of initial polymer significantly inhibit etching of tracks. It is assumed that etching inhibition is associated with Ba²⁺ ion adsorption on track active centers. The features detected are used to fabricate track membranes with thin selective layer.     

Formation of ion damage tracks

The formation of damage tracks in insulators from the passage of energetic (MeV/amu) ions indicates that the energy lost by an ion to electronic excitation is partially transferred to atomic motion. It is known that a track consists of localized regions of extended defects that are separated by lengths that exhibit only point defects. The utility of tracks for selective detection of various types of ions arises because of preferential chemical etching along the track as compared to etching the bulk material. In this letter we propose a new model to explain both the localized damage regions and the preferential etching of damage tracks. The formation of each region of extended defects is initiated by the Auger decay of a vacancy produced in an inner electronic shell of an atom of the insulator by the incident ion. This decay produces an intense source of ionization within a small volume around the decaying atom, which causes decomposition of the material in a manner similar to that observed in pulsed laser irradiation. The resulting chemical or crystalline modification of the material is the latent track, which because of its changed structure can be preferentially etched.     

Post-irradiation sensitization of CR-39 track detector in carbon dioxide atmosphere

The effect of post-irradiation treatment of CR-39 track detector in carbon dioxide atmosphere on the alpha particle registration sensitivity was investigated. Significant increase in etch rate ratio for 6.1 MeV ²⁵²Cf alpha particle was observed. The sensitization increasedboth as a function of trating time and as a function of carbon dioxide pressure in the treating vessel. Energy dependence of the sensitization was found to be small in the 2–9 MeV alpha particle energy interval. Fading of latent tracks after the sensitization process was slow in a one day period. Pre-irradiation treatment in carbon dioxide showed also some sensitization, though to a lesser extent than post-irradiation treatment. However, exposing CR-39 alpha particles in pure carbon dioxide atmosphere resulted in dramatic decrease in sensitivity. The role of dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide in the primary latent track formation and in post-irradiation latent track transformation is discussed. Potential influence of the application of sensitization of CR-39 in radon, neutron and cosmic ray charged particle dosimetry is also discussed.     

Computer simulation of the processes in a CR-39 neutron detector

The application of CR-39 as a fast neutron dosimeter, based on counting elastic recoil nuclei tracks of H, C and O nuclei in a geometrically matched pair of detectors, was studied. A computer simulation of the processes during the exposure of a detector pair to neutrons is presented. The energy and spatial distribution of the recoil nuclei was calculated with the MCNP 4B program package. On the basis of this distribution, a Monte-Carlo procedure for the generation of latent tracks in the CR-39 detectors was run. Additionally, a procedure for calculation of the chemical track etching for revealing the visible track parameters was performed to obtain the detector response.     

Applicability of the polyimide films as an SSNTD material

Track registration properties in polyimide films, KAPTON, for heavy ions have been examined by means of FT-IR spectrometry and the chemical etching in sodium hypochlorite solution. The effective track core size for the loss of CO and C–N–C composing imide bonds, and diphenyl ethers of C–O–C have been evaluated under the irradiations by Ne, Fe and Xe ions at energies less than 6 MeV/n. On the other hand, the etching property of the polyimide films has been examined in the sodium hypochlorite solution at temperature of 55 °C. Before the etchings, the films were exposed to H, C, Ne, Fe and Xe ions, at incident energies below 6 MeV/n. The etch pits are found only on the films exposed to Fe and Xe ions, indicating significant difference on the etch pit size between them. This implies that the polyimide film has charge or energy resolution for these relatively heavy ions. The threshold level of the etchable track registration is inferred to be around 2500 keV/μm. The effective track core radius at this stopping power for the loss of diphenyl ether is 1.6 nm, which is equivalent to the length between the adjacent diphenyl ether bonds in the polyimide chains. Breakings at two adjacent diphenyl ethers in radial direction of latent tracks may produce etchable tracks in KAPTON.     

On the question of nuclear track formation in plastic material

A review is given about nuclear track formation in plastic track detectors. The radiation damage of heavy ions around the latent tracks is studied using measurements of radial track etch rates in Å-dimensions.     

Studies on the nuclear tracks in CR-39 plastics

A review was given for our recent studies on the latent tracks in CR-39 nuclear track detector. The radial size of track core has been determined through UV spectral measurements combined to the model of track overlapping and by AFM observations of slightly etched detectors. The track core radius was found to be about a few nano-meters and almost proportional to the cubic root of stopping power. As a control study, the etching properties of CR-39, irradiated by low-LET radiation, has been examined. The observed depth dependence and dose-rate dependence of the bulk etch rate of the irradiated CR-39 were explained that the damage formation process was governed by the reaction between the radiation induced radicals and the oxygen supplied from the air. This indicated that latent tracks in CR-39 are produced through local radiation induced oxidation process along the ion paths. Studies on vibration spectra, near-IR, FT-IR and Raman spectra, of CR-39 have also been carried out to estimate the chemical structure of the latent tracks. The creation of OH group in irradiated CR-39 has been confirmed.     

Annealing of heavy ion tracks in cellulose nitrate plastic track detectors

The effect of heat treatment on the latent tracks in cellulose nitrate plastic track detectors has been studied. The bulk etch rate increases with annealing temperature while the track diameters of different ions in cellulose nitrate decrease with increase in annealing time and temperature. Experimental results show that for heavier ions higher temperatures are needed for their complete erasure. The track length and track etch rate are decreased by the application of heat. Experiments reveal that annealing reduces track density. The vertical tracks are more stable than the oblique tracks and require higher temperature for their complete erasure.     

SHI induced nano track polymer filters and characterization

Swift heavy ion irradiation produces damage in polymers in the form of latent tracks. Latent tracks can be enlarged by etching it in a suitable etchant and thus nuclear track etch membrane can be formed for gas permeation / purification in particular for hydrogen where the molecular size is very small. By applying suitable and controlled etching conditions well defined tracks can be formed for specific applications of the membranes. After etching gas permeation method is used for characterizing the tracks. In the present work polycarbonate (PC) of various thickness were irradiated with energetic ion beam at Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), New Delhi. Nuclear tracks were modified by etching the PC in 6N NaOH at 60 (±1) °C from both sides for different times to produce track etch membranes. At critical etch time the etched pits from both the sides meet a rapid increase in gas permeation was observed. Permeability of hydrogen and carbon dioxide has been measured in samples etched for different times. The latent tracks produced by SHI irradiation in the track etch membranes show enhancement of free volume of the polymer. Nano filters are separation devices for the mixture of gases, different ions in the solution and isotopes and isobars separations. The polymer thin films with controlled porosity finding it self as best choice. However, the permeability and selectivity of these polymer based membrane filters are very important at the nano scale separation. The Swift Heavy Ion (SHI) induced nuclear track etched polymeric films with controlled etching have been attempted and characterized as nano scale filters.      

Detection efficiency and range measurements of alphas and protons in cellulose nitrate

The range, detection efficiency and etching development of alpha tracks were studied in cellulose nitrate. Some other track revelation techniques employing the swelling of latent alpha and proton tracks are discussed.     

Structural modification in swift heavy ion irradiated muscovite mica

Two-layer monoclinic(2 M) muscovite mica sheets with a thickness of 12 μm are irradiated with Sn ions at room temperature with electronic energy loss( dE/dx)_e of 14.7 keV/nm. The ion fluence is varied between 1×10~(11) and1×10~(13) ions/cm~2. Structural transition in irradiated mica is investigated by x-ray diffraction(XRD). The main diffraction peaks shift to the high angles, and the inter-planar distance decreases due to swift heavy ion(SHI) irradiation. Dehydration takes place in mica during SHI irradiation and mica with one-layer monoclinic(1 M) structure is thought to be generated in 2 M mica after SHI irradiation. In addition, micro stress and damage cross section in irradiated mica are analyzed according to XRD data. High resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM) is used on the irradiated mica to obtain the detailed information about the latent tracks and structural modifications directly. The latent track in mica presents an amorphous zone surrounded by strain contrast shell, which is associated with the residual stress in irradiated mica.     

快重离子辐照聚酰亚胺潜径迹的电子能损效应

快重离子辐照聚合物材料时，由于密集电离激发在其路径上产生几纳米直径的潜径迹，径迹形貌受离子种类、离子能量等多种因素的影响.为了研究电子能损对径迹形成所起的作用，利用1.158GeV 的Fe⁵⁶离子和 1.755GeV Xe¹³⁶离子在室温真空环境下辐照叠层聚酰亚胺(PI)薄膜，结合傅里叶转换红外光谱(FTIR)分析技术对辐照引起的化学变化进行了测量.聚酰亚胺官能团的降解及炔基的生成是离子辐照聚合物的主要特征，在注量1×10¹¹到6×10¹²/cm²范围及较宽的电子能损(dE/dX)_e范围 (Fe⁵⁶ 离子：2.2 到 5.2 keV/nm， Xe¹³⁶ 离子：8.6 到 11.3 keV/nm)对官能团的断键率及炔基生成率进行了研究. 红外结果显示在实验涉及的能损范围都有炔基生成，应用径迹饱和模型对实验结果进行拟合，不同能损下的平均损伤径迹半径及炔基生成径迹半径被得到，通过热峰模型对实验结果拟合，给出了离子在聚酰亚胺中产生潜径迹的能损阈值，实验给出的径迹形貌的电子能损效应曲线与热峰模型预言走势基本一致. 关键词： 离子辐照 潜径迹 红外光谱 热峰模型