CHARACTERIZATION OF NUCLEAR TRACKS IN MICA AND LR-115 TYPE II SOLID STATE NUCLEAR TRACK DETECTORS

Mica and LR-115 type II detector were irradiated by neutron from Am (Be) source with flux 104 neutrons cm-2s-1, alpha from Am-241 source with activity 2Ci and gamma from Co-60 source. The neutron and alpha irradiation times for mica and for LR-115 were 21 days and 1 hour, respectively. The doses of gamma rays for mica and LR-115 were 25 kGy, 50 kGy, 75 kGy and 100 kGy, respectively. After irradiation, the tracks formed were etched with alkaline solution 10% NaOH at 60°C for 50 mins. The etched tracks in irradiated mica and LR-115 detectors were observed by using optical microscope and FT IR methods. Neutron, alpha and gamma radiation can be detected by mica detector but only alpha radiation can be detected by LR-115 detector. LR-115 detector is more suitable for alpha detection than mica due to formation of higher track density. According to low cost and more available, mica detector is also used for detection of alpha. Hence, the shape and density of nuclear tracks can be applied for searching radioactive in environment.