FYSS3460 Fission and its Applications (5 cr)

Open the course unit brochure on Sisu
Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English
Responsible organisation:
Department of Physics
Curriculum periods:
2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024

Description

  • Fission processes: spontaneous and induced fission, delayed fission

  • fission models

  • fission yield distributions, fission neutrons, gamma ray emission

  • contemporary research on fission process

  • contemporary research utilizing fission and fission products

  • nuclear reactors and production of nuclear power 

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students will know

1) the basics of fission process

  • types and modes of nuclear fission and the key experimental techniques to study fission
  • how fission can be described as a barrier penetration process
  • impact of the shell effects on the fission barrier shape
  • how to explain the pathway to fission as a random walk in an energy landscape of nuclear shapes
  • how this many-dimensional energy landscape leads to the observed fission observables

2) the basics of fission related data bases

  • Where to look for information on fission cross sections, fission product yields, fission neutron multiplicities etc.

3) the basics of nuclear reactor physics

  • fundamentals of neutron production, moderation and absorption
  • the diffusion equation and the derivation of the reactor equation to achieve self-sustainable reactor cycle
  • concept of reactivity how to perform a simple reactivity calculation
  • the most important new nuclear reactor concepts: breeders, thorium fuel cycle, and subcritical accelerator driven reactors. 

Description of prerequisites

Before enrolling for this course, students should have studied or be currently studying FYSS3300 Nuclear Physics.

Study materials

Lecture slides and associated notes, relevant contemporary articles given by lecturers.

Literature

  • Course textbook: Enzo De Sanctis et al.: Energy from Nuclear Fission, An Introduction. 2016 Springer.; ISBN: 978-3-319-30649-0
  • Useful reading: H.J. Krappe, K. Pomorski, Theory of Nuclear Fission, Lecture Notes in Physics 838 (e-book, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23515-3.
  • Useful reading: C. Wagemans (ed), The Nuclear Fission Process, ISBN 978-0849354342.

Completion methods

Method 1

Description:
Given on autumn semester, every two years.
Evaluation criteria:
The final grade is based on examination, reading and/or writing assignments and home exercises (e.g. examination 60%, assignments 20%, exercises 20%).
Time of teaching:
Period 2
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Method 2

Description:
This completion method is for students for whom method 1 is not possible for specific reasons (e.g. language, distance learning, statement for special study arrangements). Contact the teacher before enrolling to the course via this completion method.
Evaluation criteria:
Exam
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
x

Teaching (5 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
The final grade is based on examination, reading and/or writing assignments and home exercises (e.g. examination 60%, assignments 20%, exercises 20%).
Language:
English
Study methods:

Lectures, home exercises, reading assignments, writing assignments, examination. 

No published teaching
x

Independent study (5 cr)

Type:
Independent study
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
Exam
Language:
English
Study methods:

Self-study and exam

Teaching