Updates to TRACK_TEST and TRACK_VISION Computer Programs.

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Materials Science
• Computational Modeling

Background:

• Previous versions of TRACK_TEST and TRACK_VISION modeled nuclear track detector profiles and optical appearances.
• These models relied on bulk etch rate (V) and track etch rate (V) or the V function (V/V).

Purpose of the Study:

• To update and modify the TRACK_TEST and TRACK_VISION computer programs for enhanced nuclear track analysis.
• To incorporate new V functions and support for the Makrofol detector.

Main Methods:

• Revised TRACK_TEST to include two new V functions and enable calculations for the Makrofol detector.
• Revised TRACK_VISION to incorporate the new V functions and Makrofol detector option.
• Compared experimental results with modeled results for CR-39 and Makrofol detectors.

Main Results:

• Discrepancies in CR-39 detector modeling were within ~10% (1 MeV) and <14% (>1 MeV) using new V functions.
• Modeled and experimental track diameters for Makrofol detectors (irradiated with 3.6-MeV alpha particles) showed good agreement (23.2 μm vs. 24.7 μm).
• Both simulated and experimental tracks exhibited similar optical appearances, including a central bright area and outer dark ring.

Conclusions:

• The updated TRACK_TEST and TRACK_VISION programs provide more accurate modeling of nuclear track detectors.
• The inclusion of new V functions and Makrofol detector support improves the versatility and reliability of track analysis.
• The revised models demonstrate good agreement with experimental data for both track dimensions and optical characteristics.