A video-based automatic method to measure charges in nuclear track emulsions

A new method is developed for measuring charges of tracks in nuclear track emulsion. We use an automatic charge measuring device, consisting of a microscope, equipped with a stepping motor-driven stage, a CCD-video camera and a picture analysis system. Special parts of the distribution of local track widths show clear correlation to the charges which can be measured in the range 10 ≦ Z ≦ 26. The precision of one charge unit is achieved by introducing new specific quantities.