Alpha particles registration by the single-side ultraviolet protected Makrofol^® TP 244

Abstract The potential of the single-side UV-protected Makrofol ® TP 244 for 0.5 to 5.5 MeV alpha particles detection was investigated. The obtained results indicate that the Makrofol ® TP 244 exhibits a significant visible light transmittance, which is crucial for enhancing the alpha particles detection capabilities. The alpha-particles irradiated Makrofol ® TP 244 samples were chemically etched for different durations. The etch-pits contrast of the green channel has a maximum contrast of (45.0 ± 10.0) %, that decreases with the increase in etching time as well as etch-pits’ diameter. The standard deviation of etch-pits’ diameters from 0.5 to 3 MeV alpha particles energy is less than 5%, while for 4 to 5.5 MeV, the standard deviation of etch pits goes up till etching time of 4 h, but near the end of the alpha particle’s energy range, it decreases sharply. Accordingly, the Makrofol ® TP 244 can detect 4–5.5 MeV alpha particles only when the removed-layer thickness is equal to or longer than the range of alpha particles. This minimizes the etch pit diameter uncertainty that gives rise to enhance the energy resolution. The obtained results of etch pit diameters as a function of alpha particle energy show the dynamic range limitations, between 0.5 to 3 MeV, of the Makrofol ® TP 244 detector as alpha particles spectrometer.