Detection of Charged Particles by Polymer Grafting

Abstract
Tracks of fission fragments from a californium-252 source have been revealed by graft copolymerization. A 15 percent solution of propenoic (acrylic) acid monomer was reacted with irradiated cellulose triacetate for 24 hours at 55°C. Copolymer forms preferentially at the track sites and it can be dyed with rhodamine B because of its acid and hydrophylic properties. After the dyeing, the tracks were seen by using fluorescence microscopy.