TITLE:
Bulk Etch Rate of LR 115 Polymeric Radon Detector
AUTHORS:
Dabo S. I. Agba, Koudou Djagouri, Bogbe D. L. H. Gogon, Aka A. Koua
KEYWORDS:
Strippable LR 115 Type 2, Chemical Etching, Removed Layer, Bulk Etch Rate
JOURNAL NAME:
Detection,
Vol.8 No.1,
January
31,
2021
ABSTRACT: In this study, we used strippable LR 115
type 2 which is a Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD) widely known for
radon gas detection and measurement. The removed thickness of the active layer
of samples of this SSNTD, were determined by measuring the average initial
thickness (before etching) and residual thickness after 80 to 135 minutes
chemical etching in the standard conditions, using an electronic comparator.
These results allowed the calculation of the bulk etch rate of this detector in
a simple way. The mean value obtained is (3.21 ± 0.21) μm/h. This value is in
close agreement with those reported by different authors. It is an important
parameter for alpha track counting on the sensitive surface of this polymeric
detector after chemical etching because track density depends extremely on its
removed layer. This SSNTD was then used for environmental radon gas monitoring
in Côte d’Ivoire.