Introduction to Ionizing Radiation

As taught in: Fall 2006

Half section view of an ultracold neutron trapping apparatus. The trap is loaded through inelastic scattering of col d neutrons (11 K) with phonons in superfluid helium-4. Trapped neutrons are detected when they beta decay; energetic decay electrons ionize helium atoms in the superfluid resulting in efficient conversion of electron kinetic energy into light (scintillation). (Image courtesy of NIST.)

Level:

Undergraduate

Instructors:

Prof. Jeffrey Coderre

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• Images on Flickr

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the basic properties of ionizing radiations and their uses in medicine, industry, science, and environmental studies. We will discuss natural and man-made radiation sources, energy deposition and dose calculations, and various physical, chemical, and biological processes and effects of radiation, with examples of their uses, and principles of radiation protection.

Seminar: Fusion and Plasma Physics

As taught in: Spring 2006

Fusion is an attractive domestic energy source. The most developed fusion concept is the Tokamak, shown in this image. (Image courtesy of the Department of Energy, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences.)

Level:

Undergraduate

Instructors:

Prof. Kim Molvig

Course Features
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This course uses lectures and discussion to introduce the range of topics relevant to plasma physics and fusion engineering. An introductory discussion of the economic and ecological motivation for the development of fusion power is also presented. Contemporary magnetic confinement schemes, theoretical questions, and engineering considerations are presented by expert guest lecturers. Students enrolled in the course also tour the Plasma Science and Fusion Center experimental facilities.

Systems Analysis of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

As taught in: Fall 2005

The transmutation of nuclear waste may be a safer and more useful way to dispose of spent nuclear fuel rods. (Image courtesy of Los Alamos National Laboratory.)

Level:

Undergraduate / Graduate

Instructors:

Prof. Mujid S. Kazimi

Course Features
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This course provides an in-depth technical and policy analysis of various options for the nuclear fuel cycle. Topics include uranium supply, enrichment fuel fabrication, in-core physics and fuel management of uranium, thorium and other fuel types, reprocessing and waste disposal. Also covered are the principles of fuel cycle economics and the applied reactor physics of both contemporary and proposed thermal and fast reactors. Nonproliferation aspects, disposal of excess weapons plutonium, and transmutation of actinides and selected fission products in spent fuel are examined. Several state-of-the-art computer programs are provided for student use in problem sets and term papers.

Nuclear Reactor Safety

 

As taught in: Spring 2008

Figure illustrates the intensity and impact of nuclear energy. (Photo courtesy of Bill Liao.)

Level:

Undergraduate / Graduate

Instructors:

Prof. Andrew Kadak

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Problems in nuclear engineering often involve applying knowledge from many disciplines simultaneously in achieving satisfactory solutions. The course will focus on understanding the complete nuclear reactor system including the balance of plant, support systems and resulting interdependencies affecting the overall safety of the plant and regulatory oversight. Both the Seabrook and Pilgrim nuclear plant simulators will be used as part of the educational experience to provide as realistic as possible understanding of nuclear power systems short of being at the reactor.

Sources:
MIT

Nuclear Systems Design Project

As taught in: Fall 2002

The yellow and green pellets used to model the path of granular flow through a Pebble-Bed Reactor, part of the Fall 2002 Nuclear Systems Design Project. (Image by Andrew Kadak.)

Level:

Undergraduate / Graduate

Instructors:

Prof. Andrew Kadak

Course Description

Course Description

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Group design project involving integration of nuclear physics, particle transport, control, heat transfer, safety, instrumentation, materials, environmental impact, and economic optimization. Provides students with opportunity to synthesize knowledge acquired in nuclear and non-nuclear subjects and apply this knowledge to practical problems of current interest in nuclear applications design. Past projects have included using a fusion reactor for transmutation of nuclear waste, design and development of a nuclear reactor for the manned mission to Mars. Meets with graduate subject 22.33.

Sources:
1. http://web.mit.edu/nse/index.html
2. http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/nuclear-engineering/

Introduction to Applied Nuclear Physics

As taught in: Spring 2003

The Rutherford-Bohr model of the atom. (Courtesy of EPA.)

Level:

Undergraduate

Instructors:

Prof. Kim Molvig

Course Description

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This course concentrates on the basic concepts of nuclear physics with emphasis on nuclear structure and radiation interactions with matter. Included: elementary quantum theory; nuclear forces; shell structure of the nucleus; alpha, beta, and gamma radioactive decays; interactions of nuclear radiations (charged particles, gammas, and neutrons) with matter; nuclear reactions; and fission and fusion.

The course is divided into three main sections:

1. Quantum Mechanics Fundamentals
2. Nuclear Structure and Nuclear Decays
3. Interactions in Nuclear Matter and Nuclear Reactions

Sources:
1. http://web.mit.edu/nse/index.html
2. http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/nuclear-engineering/

Readings by Lecture Topic: Neutron Science and Reactor Physics

Readings

Help support MIT OpenCourseWare by shopping at Amazon.com! MIT OpenCourseWare offers direct links to Amazon.com to purchase the books cited in this course. Click on the Amazon logo to the left of any citation and purchase the book from Amazon.com, and MIT OpenCourseWare will receive up to 10% of all purchases you make. Your support will enable MIT to continue offering open access to MIT courses.

Textbooks

The text book for this course is:

Lamarsh, John. Introduction to Nuclear Engineering. 3rd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001. ISBN: 9780201824988.

This covers basic reactor physics as part of a complete survey of nuclear engineering.

Readings may also be assigned from certain of the books listed below:

Henry, A. F. Nuclear Reactor Analysis. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1975. ISBN: 9780262080811.

Shultis, J., and R. Faw. Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, 2002. ISBN: 9780824708344.

Hewitt, G., and J. Collier. Introduction to Nuclear Power. New York, NY: Taylor and Francis, 2000. ISBN: 9781560324546.

Turner, J. Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection. New York, NY: Pergamon Press, 1986. ISBN: 9780080319377.

Kneif, R. Nuclear Criticality Safety: Theory and Practice. American Nuclear Society, 1985. ISBN: 9780894480287.

Knoll, G. Radiation Detection and Measurement. New York, NY: Wiley, 2000. ISBN: 9780471073383.

Readings by Lecture Topic

 

Note: "L" refers to the Lamarsh text.

Course readings.

Lec #	Topics	Readings
1	Introduction/reactor layout and classification	Henry - Section 1.8 (PDF - 2.5 MB) (Courtesy of MIT Press. Used with permission.)
2	Chart of nuclides/neutron sources	L - Chapter 2 Knoll - pp. 20 to 28
3	Neutron reactions/Boltzman distribution/number density	Turner -Section 9.7
4	Neutron cross-sections
5	Binding energy/liquid drop model/fission process	Shultis - Section 3.2 L - Section 3.7
	Tour of MIT research reactor
6	Burners, converters, breeders/neutron life cycle	L - Section 4.2
7	Neutron life cycle
8	Criticality accidents/why is radiation dangerous	Kneif - Chapter 3
9	Neutron flux, reaction rates, current	L - Sections 5.1 and 5.2
10	One velocity model	L - Sections 5.3 and 5.4
	Exam 1
11	Non-multiplying media	L - Section 5.6
12	Multiplying media	L - Sections 6.1 to 6.3
13	Criticality conditions	L - Section 6.4
14	Kinematics of neutron scattering	L - Section 3.6 Henry - Section 2.5
15	Group diffusion method	L - Section 5.8 Henry - Sections 3.1 and 3.2
16	Solution of group equations	Henry - Section 3.3
	Exam 2
17	Energy dependence of flux	Henry - Section 3.4
18	Group theory/four factor formula	Henry - Section 3.5
19	Reactors of finite size	Henry - Section 4.4 to 4.7
20	Reactors of multiple regions: One group	Henry - Sections 4.9 and 4.10
21	Reactors of multiple regions: Two group	Henry - Section 4.11
22	Application of the two-group equations	L - pp. 304 to 308
23	Few group and multi-group approaches	L - Section 6.7 Henry - Section 4.13
24	Monte Carlo analysis	Henry - pp. 371 to 379
	Exam 3
25	Subcritical multiplication and reactor startup
26	Reactor operation without feedback	L - Section 7.1 to 7.2 L - Section 7.1
27	Analytic solution of reactor kinetics	Henry - Section 7.5
28	Dynamic period and inhour equation	Bernard, John A., and Lin Wen Hu. "Dynamic Period Equation: Derivation, Relation to Inhour Equation, and Precursor Estimation." IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science 46, no. 3 (1999): 425-437.
29	Reactor operation with feedback effects	L - Sections 7.3 and 7.4 Henry - Section 6.3
30	Achievement of feedback effects	Hewitt - Sections 2.4.6 and 5.2.7
	Exam 4
31	Shutdown margin/review of TMI
	Review

Sumber:

http://web.mit.edu/nse/index.html

Textbooks: Neutron Science and Reactor Physics

Textbooks

The text book for this course is:

Lamarsh, John. Introduction to Nuclear Engineering. 3rd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001. ISBN: 9780201824988.

This covers basic reactor physics as part of a complete survey of nuclear engineering.
Readings may also be assigned from certain of the books listed below:

Henry, A. F. Nuclear Reactor Analysis. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1975. ISBN: 9780262080811.


Shultis, J., and R. Faw. Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, 2002. ISBN: 9780824708344.


Hewitt, G., and J. Collier. Introduction to Nuclear Power. New York, NY: Taylor and Francis, 2000. ISBN: 9781560324546.


Turner, J. Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection. New York, NY: Pergamon Press, 1986. ISBN: 9780080319377.


Kneif, R. Nuclear Criticality Safety: Theory and Practice. American Nuclear Society, 1985. ISBN: 9780894480287.


Knoll, G. Radiation Detection and Measurement. New York, NY: Wiley, 2000. ISBN: 9780471073383.

Grading Policy

Grading table. 

ACTIVITIES	PERCENTAGES
Homework	20%
Four exams (20% each; lowest grade is dropped)	60%
Final exam (3.0 hours)	20%

Calendar

Course calendar.

Lec #	Topics
1	Introduction/reactor layout and classification
2	Chart of nuclides/neutron sources
3	Neutron reactions/Boltzman distribution/number density
4	Neutron cross-sections
5	Binding energy/liquid drop model/fission process
	Tour of MIT research reactor
6	Burners, converters, breeders/neutron life cycle
7	Neutron life cycle
8	Criticality accidents/why is radiation dangerous
9	Neutron flux, reaction rates, current
10	One velocity model
	Exam 1
11	Non-multiplying media
12	Multiplying media
13	Criticality conditions
14	Kinematics of neutron scattering
15	Group diffusion method
16	Solution of group equations
	Exam 2
17	Energy dependence of flux
18	Group theory/four factor formula
19	Reactors of finite size
20	Reactors of multiple regions: One group
21	Reactors of multiple regions: Two group
22	Application of the two-group equations
23	Few group and multi-group approaches
24	Monte Carlo analysis
	Exam 3
25	Subcritical multiplication and reactor startup
26	Reactor operation without feedback
27	Analytic solution of reactor kinetics
28	Dynamic period and inhour equation
29	Reactor operation with feedback effects
30	Achievement of feedback effects/Chernobyl
	Exam 4
31	Shutdown margin/review of TMI
	Review

Sumber:

http://web.mit.edu/nse/index.html

Neutron Science and Reactor Physics Tutorials

Neutron Science And Reactor Physics Video Lectures

	Exposing Nuclear Reactions (Part 1 of 5) Engineering from Texas A&M University and a MS and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Michigan. Dr. McGregor has also performed research for the Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. Links to informative news articles by The New American magazine and other sources: Another Look at Nuclear Energy Nuclear energy is on the go, helping countries in Europe and other parts of the world solve their energy woes economically and safely. Will America get back on board? ...
	Exposing Nuclear Reactions (Part 2 of 5) Engineering from Texas A&M University and a MS and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Michigan. Dr. McGregor has also performed research for the Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. Links to informative news articles by The New American magazine and other sources: Another Look at Nuclear Energy Nuclear energy is on the go, helping countries in Europe and other parts of the world solve their energy woes economically and safely. Will America get back on board? ...
	Exposing Nuclear Reactions (Part 3 of 5) Engineering from Texas A&M University and a MS and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Michigan. Dr. McGregor has also performed research for the Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. Links to informative news articles by The New American magazine and other sources: Another Look at Nuclear Energy Nuclear energy is on the go, helping countries in Europe and other parts of the world solve their energy woes economically and safely. Will America get back on board? ..

Sumber:

http://web.mit.edu/nse/index.html