Fission fragment tracks damage

The SSTR technique is based on the damage created in a solid along the path of a heavily ionizing particle such as an alpha particle or a fission fragment. The damage along the path, called a track, may become visible under an ordinary optical microscope after etching with suitable chemicals. The visible tracks are counted either by direct observation by a human or with the help of automated instruments. ... 

Chadderton, L. T. (1964). Fission fragment damage to crystal lattices track contrast. Proc. Roy. Soc. (London). A280, 110-22. 

The damage caused in an explosive by fission fragments was investigated by Bowden and Montagu-Pollock and their coworkers [44-49], Disorder was produced in the lattice, together with holes and tunnels having track widths of 100-120 2 It was concluded that even the intersection of two tracks did not produce initiation in azides, while the intersection of three or more tracks within 10 sec was an unlikely event. 

The effect of a high radiation flux upon the structure of metal phthalo-cyanines has been investigated. Intensities of 1020 thermal neutrons/cm2 tend to convert crystalline copper phthalocyanine to an amorphous state 806). Bowden and Chadderton 86, 36), using the electron microscope, have discussed the disorder in the molecular array caused by fission damage. Tracks and dislocations due to the passage of individual fission fragments could be seen. 

Uranium fission in minerals and glass causes damage in the lattice by recoiling fragments. The fission-track density can be measured and used as a basis for dating, since it is a function of uranium content and time. 

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