TITLE:
Microscopic Observation of Nuclear Track Pores in Polymeric Membranes
AUTHORS:
Naveen K. Acharya
KEYWORDS:
Nuclear Track Pore, Polymer Membrane, Ion Irradiation, Chemical Etching
JOURNAL NAME:
Engineering,
Vol.3 No.6,
July
1,
2011
ABSTRACT: Nuclear track pores were develop and observed in polycarbonate and LR-115 membranes. The polymer membranes were irradiated by swift heavy ions (SHI) and etched chemically. The stopping range of heavy ion is larger than the thickness of the membrane. The fluence of ions was changes from 103 to 107 ions-cm-2. The etching time was increased till pore size reaches up to micron range. The etching conditions were set to develop the porous tracks. The tracks are revealed under optical microscope as the size reaches up to micron or sub-micron size. The size was measured using standard electron diffraction grid. Results show that the porous tracks having average size of 2.4 micron can be developed in polycarbonate, while 5 - 10 micron porous tracks can be developed in LR-115.