The light transmission method of automated track scanning

Abstract An empirical method of automated track scanning is described. This new method is based on the measurement of light transmission (LT) through solid state track recorders (SSTR). Fission fragment tracks in mica SSTR are used to demonstrate the utility of this method. Data analysis reveals that the LT method is equivalent to a point sampling method at the approximately 2% (1 σ ) uncertainty level of the calibration data. The total (1 σ ) uncertainty of the LT method decreases with increasing fission density from approximately 5% at a fission density of 4.0E + 06 fissions/cm 2 down to approximately 2.5% at a fission density of 1.2E + 07 fissions/cm 2 . The current stage of development permits only a qualitative comparison of the LT and point sampling methods. Recommendations to refine the LT method are advanced with emphasis on processing procedures for mica SSTR.