a Instituto de Física, UNAM, Apdo Postal 20-364, DF 01000, México, Mexico
b Depto. de Física, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico
Abstract:
Fission fragment tracks from 252Cf have been observed in SiO2 optical fiber, using an atomic force microscope (AFM), after a very short chemical etching in hydrofluoric acid solution at normal temperature. The nuclear track starting and evolution process is followed by the AFM direct measurements on the material surface and beyond a fine layer of the surface material. The images of the scanned cones were determined observing the two predominant energies from 252Cf fission fragments and the development of the tracks in the 150 μm diameter optical fiber conduit.