New statistical model of track overlap in solid state nuclear track detectors

Abstract Solid state nuclear track detector are commonly used as passive radon dosimeters. Radon exposure is directly linked to the etched track density measured on the detector surface. Due to their finite size, separate tracks can overlap, and this effect can result is a severe underestimation of the actual track density. In the present work a new statistical model to calculate the probability of overlap between tracks in solid state nuclear track detectors is presented. This model can be used to calculate the actual track density from the one measured in the presence of track overlap. The new model provides a full statistical description of the overlapping process and does not require any prior knowledge about the particles originating the tracks, the etching process or the reading system. The model has been validated trough Monte Carlo simulations and experiments.