Detection of high energy particles using CR-39 detectors part 1: Results of microscopic examination, scanning, and LET analysis

Abstract CR-39 detectors were used to detect high energy particles produced during Pd/D co-deposition. Upon completion of the experiments, the detectors were subjected to either microscopic examination, scanning using an automated scanner to obtain quantitative information on the tracks, sequential etching, or linear energy transfer (LET) spectrum analysis. Both the sequential etching and LET analysis allowed speciation of the particles that caused the tracks as well as estimating their energies. In these experiments it was shown that the tracks coincide with the placement of the Pd deposit. The average number of tracks obtained as a result of Pd/D co-deposition is more than 133 times greater than that found in the background. In this communication, the results of microscopic examination, scanning, and LET analysis are discussed.