Study of nuclear tracks on different polycarbonate foils and their feasibility for use in personnel monitoring

Abstract

CR-39 (PADC) a Solid State Nuclear Track Detector., is used as a routine personnel monitor. 1800 workers are being monitored quarterly for fast neutron using CR-39 foils. These foils procured from Pershore Mouldings, UK are very expensive and indigenous development will make the foils cost effective. The aim of this paper is to find a suitable alternative to the imported CR-39 foils for use in personnel monitoring. The foils from three different manufacturers have been compared with the CR-39 foils from Pershore Moulding, UK, presently in use. Out of the three, only sample no 1 is promising. It has a background and sensitivity comparable with CR-39 presently used. The sample 2 is CR-39 being developed in India, has a relatively high background and poor sensitivity. Efforts are being made to improve the quality of this sample. The sample 3 was a poly carbonate from local manufacturer which produced very few tracks and the standard deviation of track counts was very large and hence not useful for Personnel Monitoring.