On the mechanism of the sensitization of PADC (poly(allyl diglycol carbonate)) track detectors by carbon dioxide treatment

•Sensitization effect of PADC detector is confirmed for proton and He, C, and Fe ions.•The examined stopping power is ranged from 10 to 600 keV/μm.•Diffusion coefficient of carbon dioxide in PADC is D = 14,670exp(−9030/T(K)) cm2/s.•The sensitivity is enhanced when carbon dioxide was releasing to etching solution passing through the detector surface.

The sensitization effect of carbon dioxide treatments with 0.6 MPa on poly(allyl diglycol carbonate) (PADC) etched track detectors is confirmed for protons and He, C, and Fe ions, where the stopping powers range from 10 to 600 keV/μm. Based on the FT-IR study for the PADC films that were maintained at room temperature and at elevated temperatures, the diffusion coefficient of carbon dioxide, is determined as D = 14,670exp(−9030/T(K)) cm2/s. The sensitivity is enhanced when carbon dioxide is released toward the chemical etching solution that passes through the detector surface. Segmented PADC polymer chains are washed away by the flow of carbon dioxide along the latent tracks in PADC, which results in a higher track etch rate.