Application of Ag + -doped phosphate glasses as nuclear track etch detectors

The Ag+-doped phosphate glass which is commonly employed as the radiophotoluminscence (RPL) dosimeter has been applied as a nuclear track etch detector. The glass is etchable in the NaOH solutions and forms clear nuclear etch pit. The etching performances and track parameters vary as a function of the concentration of NaOH solution. The most sensitive normality was confirmed to be 7 N. The track response is controllable with NaOH concentration at the range of Z*/beta >= 80 (Z*: effective charge, beta: velocity). The charge spectroscopic resolution for Xe (Z*/beta = 107) was found to be 0.23 cu (charge unit), which would allow to identify individual nuclear charge of ultra heavy nuclei around Actinides in the cosmic rays. The Ag+-doped phosphate glass would be a promising detector for high Z spectroscopy for cosmic ray and nuclear physics fields and has the potential to operate not only RPL dosimeter but also nuclear track etch detector. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.