Sensitization of PADC track detector in carbon dioxide gas

The fading of carbon dioxide treatment on PADC detectors after alpha-particle irradiations has been confirmed to relate to the diffusion loss of carbon dioxide. Diffusion coefficient of carbon dioxide in the film is found to be D = 1.1 × 10−9 cm2/s at room temperature. The effect of the post-irradiation treatment has strong relation with the dissolving process of carbon dioxide into the etching solution through the renewing surface of the detector during etching. Absorbed carbon dioxide can modify the network structure of PADC with higher permeability for etching solution.