Low energy ion tracks in lithium fluoride

Track size information for low energy light ions in LiF is obtained from radial dose distributions calculated with a Monte Carlo coupled ion-electron transport code. For 30 MeV carbon ions in LiF the complete track extends as far as 5000 Angstrom around the ion's path though 85% and 50% of the radial integrated dose is deposited in a region of 530 and 96 Angstrom, respectively. This means that relevant radial track sizes are of the order of 10% of the total extension. Applying modified track structure theory with 8.1 keV X-rays as test radiation shows that a saturation radius may be defined at the centre of the track which limits a very-high-dose region that does not contribute to the thermoluminescent efficiency. Results for protons, helium and carbon ions are presented. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.