Nuclear track detector response to energetic heavy ions: study case

Nuclear track methodology (NTM), is employed to analyze PADC detectors response to different energetic ion beams. Due to the passive device linearity response to heavy ions with LET-value > 30 keV μm−1, they are employed in several fields e.g. nuclear industry, medical, environmental radiation and aircraft dosimetry. To further improve application, PADC-detectors were irradiated by beams of 4He (150 MeV nucleon−1), 12C (390 MeV nucleon−1) and 56Fe (465 MeV nucleon−1), in relatively low-dose range ≤ 1 mGy. Results provided, through etched track analysis, valuable information of interest for NTM when high LET ionizing radiation is involved.