FYSS3302 Applied Nuclear Physics (4 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:
2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028

Description

  • Interaction of radiation with matter

  • Detection of radiation

  •  Nuclear reactions and reaction rates

  • Nuclear charge radii from atomic physics techniques

  • Nuclear fission and operation of a nuclear power plant

  • Basics of nuclear astrophysics

  • Principles of different particle accelerators

  • pplications of radiation

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Describe and compare the different processes involved with the interaction of different types of radiation with matter: heavy ions, electrons, gamma rays and related attenuation.
  • Identify the important concepts connected to the detection of radiation and how these inform different detector types.
  • Calculate reaction rates in experiments given target thicknesses, reaction cross sections and primary beam intensities.
  • Explain how atomic physics techniques can provide a window to the evolution of nuclear structure.
  • Use the liquid droplet model to describe the process of nuclear fission.
  • List the important ingredients of a nuclear reactor and calculate different parameters of operational reactors.
  • Describe the principle of astrophysical nucleosynthesis.
  • Explain how different particle accelerators work.
  • Gain a basic understanding of the use of radiation in applications, including industrial, medical, and materials-based studies.

Description of prerequisites

  • A solid understanding of modern physics and basic quantum mechanics

  • Courses FYSA2003 Modern physics (part A), FYSA2004 Modern physics (part B), FYSA2030 Quantum mechanics (part A) and FYSA2032 Quantum Mechanics (part B) are recommended. 

Recommended prerequisites

Study materials

Lecture slides and notes, additional material (journal articles, etc) 

Literature

  • J. Lilley, Nuclear Physics, Principles and Applications

Completion methods

Method 1

Evaluation criteria:
Exams (80%) and exercises (20%).
Time of teaching:
Period 2
Select all marked parts

Method 2

Description:
This completion method is for students for whom Completion method 1 is not possible for specific reasons (e.g., distance learning, statement for special study arrangements). Contact the teacher before enrolling to the course via this completion method.
Evaluation criteria:
Self-study, possible exercises, and examination
Time of teaching:
Period 2
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
x

Participation in teaching (4 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
<p>Exams (80%) and exercises (20%)</p>
Study methods:

Lectures, Exercises and Examination

Teaching

x

Independent study (4 cr)

Type:
Independent study
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
<p>Self-study, possible exercises and examination.&nbsp;<br></p>

Teaching