Record Details
Electron microscopic observation of alpha particle tracks in cellulose nitrate
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Electron microscopic observation of alpha particle tracks in cellulose nitrate |
| Names |
Fish, Robert Lawrence
(creator) Robinson, Alan H. (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1969-05-16 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1970 |
| Abstract | The work in this thesis involves the development of specimen preparation techniques for the observation with an electron microscope of alpha particle tracks in cellulose nitrate plastic. Both direct observation using thin films and replica production techniques were investigated. Direct observation of the alpha tracks was accomplished by cutting thin sections of the irradiated plastic with an ultramicrotome. A method for casting very thin films of the cellulose nitrate for alpha track observation was also developed. Replica techniques which were developed include the single stage Formvar, single stage carbon and double stage carbon replicas. Each of these techniques are explained in detail. Although these techniques were developed using alpha particle irradiations of cellulose nitrate, applications involving other charged particle tracks could easily use the same procedures. The casting of thin films of cellulose nitrate for direct observations of the tracks and the production of a double stage replica of the cellulose nitrate surface have both resulted in excellent electron microscope beam images without destroying the original plastic or particle tracks. With further development effort, it is thought that these two techniques will allow observation of alpha tracks in cellulose nitrate on the order of 100 [superscript o]A in diameter. |
| Genre | Thesis/Dissertation |
| Topic | Alpha rays |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/46284 |
