Nuclear Physics Research Group - NPRG
Phys 580 Nuclear Structure (3+0) hours
Alpha Decay: Refresher on alpha, theory of barrier penetration, role of angular momentum,
Beta Decay: Role of neutrino, Fermi theory, shape of energy spectrum, Decay rate, selection rules, electron capture, mass of neutrino, double Beta decay, parity non-conservation.
Gamma decay in nuclei: Excited states in nuclei, gamma decay, decay rates, selection rules, spectroscopic information from gamma decays, internal conversion, isomers, resonance absorption, Mossbauer effect.
Nuclear moments: Multi-pole expansion of nuclear charge and current density, magnetic dipole moment, electric quadrupole moment, hyperfine structure, nuclear magnetic resonance.
Nuclear forces: Introduction to nuclear force, the deuteron, nucleon scattering, properties of nuclear force, exchange model.
Nuclear models: Review of single particle shell model, Particle-hole configuration, Magnetic dipole moments, Electric quadrupole moments, Collective properties, Rotation, Vibrations, Single particle states in deformed nuclei, Multi-particle configurations, Back pending, and Super deformation.
Text Books:
1- Introductory nuclear physics, K. S. Krane, Jhon Wiely & Sons Inc., (2000).
2- Fundamentals of nuclear physics, N. A. Jelly, Cambridge University Press, (1990).
3- Introduction to nuclear and particle physics, Ashok Das and Thomas Ferbel, Jhon Wiely & Sons Inc (1994).
4 - Nuclear Physics: An Introduction, Jhon Wiely & Sons Inc , S. B. Patel, (1991 ).
Phys 583 Radiation Measurements (2+1) hours
Radiation measurements: counting rates, error reduction, stopping power and range for particles (Z≤2 and A≤4) and electrons and positrons.
Nuclear Detectors: Gas scintillators and semi conductor detectors (working principle, applications, advantages and disadvantages).
Source-detector geometry effects on measurements: point and disk type sources, detectors with circular aperture, count rates and source strength.
Energy spectra: resolution and factors affecting resolution, Ge (Li) and HPG detectors, silicon detectors and electron spectroscopy.
Text Books
1- Measurements and detection of radiation, Nicholas Tsoulfanidis, Hemisphere publishing corporation, 3rd edition, (1995).
2- Radiation detection and measurements, Glenn F. Knoll, John Wiley and sons, Inc., 3rd edition, (2000).
Phys 585 Nuclear Reactors Physics (3+0) hours
Neutron Physics: Properties of neutrons, Neutron sources, microscopic and macroscopic cross-sections, elastic and inelastic scattering, absorption and Fission reactions, BF3 detectors, Mechanism of energy loss by scattering collisions, Scattering law, Neutron lethargy and average logarithmic decrement, Moderating ratio, Slowing down equation for homogenous mixture , Neutron current density.
Nuclear Fission by thermal neutron in homogenous reactors: Scattering Cross Section, Energy release from fission, Neutron yield, Energy distribution among fission neutrons and fragments. Reproduction constant, neutron balance, Resonance Escape Probability, Reactor Criticality, Neutron cycle and the multiplication factor.
Neutron diffusion: Diffusion equation and its solutions, Measurement of diffusion length, Albedo concept, Application to infinite slab reactor and a point source in a neutron moderator.
The Critical equation in steady homogenous reactors: Diffusion equation applied to thermal for infinite and finite reactors, Fast neutron diffusion and Fermi age equation, Effective Multiplication for finite reactors, Critical equation and Reactor Buckling, Critical size and Geometrical Buckling (Cube and Semi-Cubic shape, sphere, cylinder), Critical volume and critical fuel mass calculations.
Heterogeneous Reactors: Effect of fuel distribution on the parameters of the multiplication factor, Non-steady nuclear reactors.
Text Books:
1- Elementary Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Physics, S. E. Liverhant, John Wiley, (1960).
2- Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory, John R. Lamars, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, (1972).
Radiation Dosimetry: Units, Absorbed dose, Exposure, Free air chamber, Air wall chamber, Bragg-Gray principle, Kerma, Dose from surface and skin contamination.
Radiation Effects: Acute effects, Delayed effects, Genetic effects, Risk coefficient estimates, Quality factor and Radiation weighting factor.
Basic Radiation Safety: Occupational exposure, Medical exposure, Effective dose equivalent, Annual limit of intake, , Derived air concentration .
Dose-Measuring Instruments: Personal monitoring, Pocket dosimeters, Film badges, Thermoluminescent dosimeters , Electronic dosimeters , Ion current chambers , Neutron dosimetry ,Calibration measurements with gamma sources.
External Radiation Measurement: Time, Distance, Shielding.
Internal Radiation Protection: Control of the source, Environmental control, Control of the worker, Surface contamination limits.
TextBook:
Introduction to Health Physics, Herman Cember, McGraw-Hill Professional; 3 edition (January 1, 1996)
Nuclear Spectroscopy Experiments: Gamma Spectroscopy, Internal conversion, Coincidences.
Radiation experiments: Radioactivity measurements in environmental samples, Gamma spectrometer (HPG digital spectrum analyzer and lead shield). Sealed point source (226Ra), Mixed liquid gamma source, Reference materials (soil, grass,.etc).
Biophysics Experiments: Effects of gamma irradiation on electric properties of blood, Measurement of viscosity of different biological samples (liquid and blood, normal and diseased).
Text Books:
1- Measurements and detection of radiation, Nicholas Tsoulfanidis, Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, 3rd edition, (1995).
2- Radiation detection and measurements, Glenn F. Knoll, John Wiley and sons, Inc., 3rd edition, (2000).
3- Introduction to health physics, Herman Cember, McGraw-Hill, 3rd edition, (1996).