The sensitivity of nuclear track-recording plastics may be modified by molecular design. Substitution of groups adjacent to radiation-sensitive bonds and introduction of new centers of instability should greatly increase the sensitivity to ionizing radiation. Modification to the CR-39 monomer will be considered because the polymer produced from it is by far the best plastic track detector yet discovered. Ease of synthesis, ready availability of starting materials, and ease of purification are very important in choosing the best system for commercial development.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:A gap of two orders of magnitude in sensitivity exists between photographic nuclear emulsions and the most sensitive existing plastic track detector, CR-39. A sensitivity improvement of only one order of magnitude would lead to wide applications in particle dosimetry, tracking of light fragments at heavy ion accelerators, and in many fields of astrophysical research.
