Glass fission track analysis by AFM and SEM: Inferring latent track structure through etched tracks

The main goal of this work is the study of latent fission track structure (or the associated defects density) analyzing the geometry evolution of etched tracks. In this way, measurements of diameter and cone angle for 235U fission tracks reaching soda-lime glass surface with normal incidence were made. These glasses were etched since very short etching time up to times around standard etching used for optical microscopy. The measurements were obtained using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Employing a geometrical model to describe track evolution in isotropic materials it was possible to conclude that the defect density in latent tracks can be considered constant along the fission fragment trajectory.