Enhancement of Alpha Particle Tracks in Cellulose Nitrate Using Electric Fields

We have observed that the application of an electric field across samples of cellulose nitrate during irradiation by alpha particles enhances the formation of etchable tracks. The track formation efficiency has been studied as a function of the strength of the electric field for alpha particles energies from 2.75 to 5.0 MeV. Both the number of etchable tracks and the amount of damage along individual tracks have been found to be enhanced by the application of an electric field. Approximately the same enhancement is observed either if the field is applied during irradiation by alpha particles or if the field is applied, then turned off before the irradiation is initiated. It is hypothesized that phenomena, associated with corona discharge in the air near the surface of the dielectric sample, is responsible for the observed enhancement. The present results are dominated by chemical effects which eclipse any indication of enhancement due directly to the application of an electric field.