Tailoring the structural and optical properties of Makrofol BL 2-4 nuclear track detector using laser radiation

Makrofol BL 2-4 is a nuclear track detector film that resembles the Makrolon polycarbonate. Compared with Makrofol DE, it includes an outstanding die-cutting recital together with elevated light transmission. It is applied in several radiation detection fields. Samples from Makrofol films have been exposed to laser pulses with fluences ranging from 5 to 35 J/cm2. It is worth stating that this paper is almost the first one to show the change in the properties of Makrofol BL 2-4 using IR laser radiation. The resultant outcome of laser irradiation on the structural and optical properties of the Makrofol samples has been investigated by x-ray diffraction and UV spectroscopy. The optical bandgap, refractive index, Urbach energy, optical dielectric parameters, tristimulus values, chromaticity coordinates, color intercepts, and color intensity have been calculated and interpreted based on laser fluences. The optical bandgap decreased from 4.26 to 4.14 eV (n = 0.5) with increasing laser fluence up to 35 J/cm2, accompanied with an increase in the Urbach energy. This could be attributable to the dominance of cross-linking that damages the crystalline portion. Additionally, nonexposed Makrofol is nearly colorless. It showed noteworthy sensitivity to color changes by laser irradiation, as the color intensity reached a value greater than 5. This is a sensible contest in marketable reproduction in the printing press.