Toward an automated analysis of slow ions in nuclear track emulsion

Application of the nuclear track emulsion technique (NTE) in radioactivity and nuclear fission studies is discussed. It is suggested to use a HSP-1000 automated microscope for searching for a collinear cluster tri-partition of heavy nuclei implanted in NTE. Calibrations of $alpha $-particles and ion ranges in a novel NTE are carried out. Surface exposures of NTE samples to a ${}^{252}$Cf source started. Planar events containing fragments and long-range $alpha $-particles as well as fragment triples only are studied. NTE samples are calibrated by ions Kr and Xe of energy of 1.2 and 3 A MeV.