FYSS3460 Fission and its Applications (5 cr)

Open the course unit brochure on Sisu
Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish
Responsible organisation:
Department of Physics
Curriculum periods:
2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028

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 Nuclear Physics (FYSS3301-302).

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 (40 - 60 % of the final grade), reading and/or writing assignments (20 - 30 %) and home exercises (20 - 30 %).
Time of teaching:
Period 2
Select all marked parts

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:
Graded home assignments (reading and/or mathematical problems), 40 - 60% of the final grade, and home exam or exam, 40 - 60 % of the final grade.
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
x

Teaching (5 cr)

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