Alternative procedure for LR 115 chemical etching and alpha tracks counting

An improved procedure for etching and analysis of alpha tracks induced in LR-115 detectors is proposed with the advantages of simplicity and its relatively low cost. A new type of detector holder was designed to etch and rinse efficiently up to 100 detectors. We develop a simple and reliable methodology with a semiautomatic track count using a Nikon digital camera coupled to a PC and employing software “SCION” freely available on the Internet. Track images are binarized prior the application of software “SCION” so that original track shapes are not distorted, space resolution is improved and track counting has low dependence on focus and illumination level. High discrimination for tracks is achieved when marks and rips perturb the detector surface. An image generator of nuclear tracks is included to study the effect of track overlapping effect on counting.