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Manuscript Title: Computer program TRACK_TEST for calculating parameters and plotting profiles for etch pits in nuclear track materials
Authors: D. Nikezic, K.N. Yu
Program title: Track_Test
Catalogue identifier: ADWT_v1_0 Distribution format: tar.gz
Journal reference: Comput. Phys. Commun. 174(2006)160
Programming language: Fortran 90.
Computer: PC computers.
Operating system: Windows 98+.
RAM: 256 kbytes
Keywords: Nuclear track detectors, model of track growth, CR-39, LR 115.
PACS: 07.05., 23.60., 29.40.
Classification: 17.5, 21.1.
External routines: MSFLIB (Microsoft Fortran Libraries)
Nature of problem: Fast heavy charged particles (like alpha particles and other light ions etc.) create latent tracks in some dielectric materials. After chemical etching in aqueous NaOH or KOH solutions, these tracks become visible under an optical microscope. The growth of a track is based on the simultaneous actions of the etchant on undamaged regions (with the bulk etch rate V_b) and along the particle track (with the track etch rate V_t). Growth of the track is described satisfactorily by these two parameters (V_b and V_t). Several models have been presented in the past describing the track development, one of which is the model of Nikezic and Yu (2003) [1] used in the present program. The present computer program has been written to calculate coordinates of points on the track wall and to determine other relevant track parameters.
Solution method: Coordinates of points on the track wall assuming normal incidence were calculated by using the method as described by Fromm et al. (1988) [2]. The track is then rotated through the incident angle in order to obtain the coordinates of the oblique track [1][3]. In this way, the track profile in two dimensions (2D) was obtained. In the next step, points in the track wall profile are rotated around the particle trajectory. In this way, circles that outline the track in three dimensions (3D) are obtained. The intersection between the post-etching surface of the detector and the 3D track is the track opening (or the track contour). Coordinates of the track 2D and 3D profiles and the track opening are saved in separate output data files.
Restrictions: The program cannot calculate track parameters for the incident angle of exactly 90^o. The alpha-particle energy should be smaller than 10 MeV. Furthermore, the program cannot perform calculations for tracks in some extreme cases, such as for very low incident energies or very small incident angles.
Additional comments: This is a freeware, but publications arising from using this program should cite the present paper Nikezic, D., Yu, K.N., "Computer program TRACK_TEST for calculating parameters and plotting profiles for etch pits in nuclear track materials", 2005, Computer Physics Communications 174(2006)160. and the paper describing the track growth model used Nikezic, D., Yu, K.N., "Three-dimensional analytical determination of the track parameters. Over-etched tracks", 2003, Radiation Measurements, 37, 39-45. Moreover, the references for the V functions used should also be cited For the CR-39 detector Function (1): S.A. Durrani, R.K. Bull, Solid State Nuclear Track Detection. Principles, Methods and Applications. Pergamon Press, (1987). Function (2): C. Brun, M. Fromm, M. Jouffroy, P.Meyer, J.E. Groetz, F. Abel, A. Chambaudet, B. Dorschel, D. Hermsdorf, R. Bretschneider, K., Kadner, H. Kuhne, Intercomparative study of the detection characteristics of the CR-39 SSNTD for light ions: Present status of the Besancon - Dresden approaches. Radiat. Meas. 31 (1999) 89-98. Function (3): K.N. Yu, F.M.F. Ng, D. Nikezic, Measuring depths of sub-micron tracks in a CR-39 detector from replicas using atomic force microscopy. Radiat. Meas. (2005) accepted for publication. doi:10.1016/j.radmeas.2005.03.011. (please check for updated information) For the LR 115 detector Function (1): S.A. Durrani, P.F. Green, The effect of etching conditions on the response of LR 115 Nucl. Tracks 8 (1984) 21-24. Function (2): C.W.Y. Yip, D. Nikezic, J.P.Y Ho, K.N. Yu, Chemical Etching Characteristics for Cellulose Nitrate. Materials Chemistry and Physics (2005) accepted for publication. doi:10.1016/j.matchemphys.2005.06.024. (please check for updated information)
Running time: Order of several minutes, dependent on input parameters and the resolution requested by the user.
References:
[1]	Nikezic, D., Yu, K.N., "Three-dimensional analytical determination of the track parameters. Over-etched tracks", 2003, Radiation Measurements, 37, 39-45.
[2]	Fromm, M., Chambaudet, A., Membrey, F., 1988. Data bank for alpha particle tracks in CR39 with energies ranging from 0.5 to 5 MeV recording for various incident angles. Nuclear Tracks and Radiation Measurements 15, 115-118.
[3]	Nikezic, D. 2000. Three dimensional analytical determination of the track parameters. Radiation Measurements 32, 277-282.