3-D confocal microscopy track analysis: a promising tool for determining CR-39 response function

A new method based on the use of the confocal microscope is described in order to evaluate the CR-39 response function for Li-7 ions with an incident energy of 10.77 MeV. This method uses the formulations developed by Fromm et al. and considers two etching velocities: V-B represents the bulk etch rate and remains constant, and V-T the track etch rate, which varies along the particle's path, The confocal microscope seems to bring big improvements for track analysis. The first results of V-T versus the particle range are presented and compared with the curves obtained by the sequential etching method. The obtained V-T are plotted and compared to LET, REL350 and the cumulative radial dose. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.