Anomalous track development in CR-39: Effects of gamma irradiation

CR-39 solid state track recorder material was exposed to doses of gamma irradiation ranging up to 3.9 megarad to determine the effects of background radiation on bulk etch rate and track development. At doses as low as 1 MR development of tracks from alpha particles was markedly affected by the background. Nonlinear response of the material began at irradiation levels below 3 MR, which is a much lower level than the onset of comparable effects in lexan or cellulose nitrate.