ALPHA-RADIATION DETECTION AND ANALYSIS BY NUCLEAR TRACK DETECTOR

A gross analysis is presented of alpha radiation from Am-241, Pu-239, Th-230, Cm-244, U-238 and Np-237 sources, using nuclear track detector (NTD) methods. The response of the NTD was measured at low and high alpha emission rates, fixed exposure times, and fixed quantity of total alpha particles for each of the different isotopes over a range of alpha energies. The distributions and statistics of the track densities were calculated. LANTRAK polycarbonate was selected as the NTD detector material. A one-step chemical etch in 6.25N NaOH at 60-degrees-C for 16 h was used. Twenty-four fields (0.91 mm2) one each detector were read using an automatic counting system. The results show the linearity and efficiency of the material for each alpha energy, and the track diameter distribution relative to energy.