Structural investigation of latent tracks of poly ally diglycol (CR39) irradiated with UV laser

Abstract

Samples of CR39 poly allydiglycol polymer after irradiation with Am241 alpha particles were exposed to UV laser pulses ( 355 nm energy 75 mj and repetition rate 4 pulses per second) with different exposure times to study laser polymer interactions and the resulting structural changes The exposed detectors were then etched to reveal nuclear tracks The diameter of the etched tracks was found to increase with increasing laser exposure the thermocouple measurements show no significant heating of the polymer The results can best be explained by an increase in the bulketching rate caused by the laser exposure The mechanism for this is perhaps damage to molecular chains resulting from the laser illumination In our study we conclude that CR39 which is commonly employed in radon neutron dosimetry and cosmic rays studies is found to be affected by UV laser radiations