Abstract
The effect of the properties of PADC nuclear track detectors after exposure to high doses of gamma absorbed doses up to 5×10
5 Gray (50 Mrad) were studied. The gamma source was a 9.03 PBq (244 KCi), Co-60 source. Results indicate that each of the bulk etch rate (V
b), the tracks etch rate (V
t) and the sensitivity (V) of the detectors increases with the high gamma absorbed dose, but there is a drop in these parameters at the low gamma absorbed dose. Signs of surface roughness were observed by increasing the gamma absorbed doses and changes in color observed for doses larger than 2×10
5 Gray. The temperature of detectors during irradiation time reached 41°C. The fission fragment tracks (from Cf-252 source) disappeared quickly within the etching time (minutes) for total absorbed doses greater than 3×10
5 Gray due to their high bulk etch rate.