Application of solid state nuclear track detectors in fission studies

Abstract

Solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTO) were introduced as an important research tool in nuclear science and technology in the early 1960s. In this paper an attempt is made to give an overview of some of the important applications of SSNTD in the study of fission-related phenomena. The areas covered are: (a) spontaneous fission half-lives, (b) compound nuclear lifetime measurements, (c) fission cross-section, excitation functions and fission fragment angular distributions, (d) fission isomers, (e) search for superheavy elements and (f) absolute fission yield measurements. In each case a few examples of experimental work carried out in various laboratories including the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARe), Bombay are discussed to highlight the significant contributions these studies have made to our understanding of nuclei and nuclear fission. The important role played by SSNTD in each of the above areas of fission studies is illustrated. Some specific cases are cited where the innovative usc of SSNTD has lead to results of profound significance in fission physics. A general review of the impact of these studies on our present understanding of nuclei and nuclear fission as well as a brief outline of the problems and future prospects are also given in the paper.

Heavy Ion Range Measurements in SSNTD Materials: A Review

“…Glass detectors are used as SSNTD material due to their higher threshold for track registration. Further, glasses are free from mechanical ruggedness, less sensitive to environmental changes and aging effects [54,55]. These are important in those experiments where elimination of light charge particles is required.…”