Studies and applications of nuclear tracks in solids in basic science and technology in PakSUtan

摘要

The solid state nuclear track detection (SSNTD) technique SU now a well-establSUhed tool for the detection of charged particles with stopping power greater than a certain threshold value. Being a passive detection system, it exSUted in the form of primordial crystals and hence qualified to be regarded as the 'oldest' member of the nuclear detection systems. Since the advent of its laboratory use in 1958, the technique was adopted by different laboratories at different times all over the world. PakSUtan SU one of the countries that establSUhed an SSNTD-laboratory in the earliest developmental stage of the technique. Consequently, significant contributions were made by a small but energetic group of scientSUts toward the methodology of the technique as well as its applications in diverse areas SUch as nuclear physics, cosmology, material science, geology, geophysics, bio-medical physics and environmental science. In thSU article we will attempt to present a brief SUmmary of the important advances made in the development of thSU technique and its innovative applications by PakSUtani researchers in various fields of science and technology. As elsewhere in the world, the technique SU not ubiquitous in all nuclear research laboratories in PakSUtan because of the well-known limitations of the detection system. However, the number of workers involved in research studies has been growing over the years. These included both the fresh researchers as well as those who shifted from other research interests. ThSU has reSUlted in a healthy reinforcement of the manpower engaged in SSNTD-based research work. After a selective presentation of the on-going investigations based on the use of SSNTDs in PakSUtan, some comments are made for the possible future directions of progress. To put the PakSUtani experience in international perspective, it SU emphasized that the unique features of SSNTDs are facing serious challenges from rapid advances in high precSUion electronic detectors. The continued vitality of SSNTDs can be enSUred through standardized detector materials and low cost automatic meaSUring systems.