Comparative Characterization Study of Nuclear Track Detector (CR-39) and the Used Filmstrip for Uranium Ore Exploration

Abstract

The detection characteristics of a recycled black and white cinema films have been determined and compared with the well-known solid state nuclear track detector (SSNTD) [Poly-Allyl Diglycol Carbonate (CR-39)] to detect the source of radioactivity in natural rocks. The chemical bonds chemical structure of the films has been identified as cellulose triacetate (CTA) with chemical formula (C24H32O16)n. The etching conditions of cinema film have been optimized after irradiation of the Cinema film with an artificial point source of Am-241 with activity 5.486 nCi and energy 5.48 MeV. The calibration process has been performed, under the same conditions, with seven pairs of (1.0 cm × 1.5 cm) pieces of CTA films and CR-39 SSNTDs, using different radon gas concentrations. The calibration factors are found to be 0.173 and 0.242 (track.mm-2.d-1) / (pCi/l), respectively. The deduced sensitivity of CTA was found to be 71% relative to CR-39.