Accelerating CR-39 Track Detector Processing by Utilizing UV

As demonstrated in prior work, utilizing CR-39 as a Solid State Nuclear Track Detector provides a useful source of data in high-energy density experiments such as inertial confinement fusion. Chemically etching CR-39 in 6M NaOH at 80°C, after irradiation, forms micron-scale pits at the location of each nuclear track. Prior work has shown that CR-39 exposed to UV light before etching increases bulk and track etch rates. Effects of UV exposure are more apparent when temperatures elevate up to 85°C. Increased temperatures are a side-effect of broadband UV sources, due to infrared emissions. By analyzing spectroscopic data, we find the most effective UV wavelengths are shorter than 350nm, consistent with theoretical models of absorption in amorphous solids. We evaluate the potential of UV exposure to shorten the etching process. Results show how aging CR-39 reduces the effect of UV, independent of changes to the underlying etch rate. Noise can develop from UV exposure. Both noise and increased etch rates are characterized for different exposure times and temperatures to mitigate noise and maximizing particle sensitivity.