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Books > Science & Mathematics > Physics > Nuclear structure physics
Materials in a nuclear environment are exposed to extreme
conditions of radiation, temperature and/or corrosion, and in many
cases the combination of these makes the material behavior very
different from conventional materials. This is evident for the four
major technological challenges the nuclear technology domain is
facing currently: (i) long-term operation of existing Generation II
nuclear power plants, (ii) the design of the next generation
reactors (Generation IV), (iii) the construction of the ITER fusion
reactor in Cadarache (France), (iv) and the intermediate and final
disposal of nuclear waste. In order to address these challenges,
engineers and designers need to know the properties of a wide
variety of materials under these conditions and to understand the
underlying processes affecting changes in their behavior, in order
to assess their performance and to determine the limits of
operation. Comprehensive Nuclear Materials, Second Edition, Seven
Volume Set provides broad ranging, validated summaries of all the
major topics in the field of nuclear material research for fission
as well as fusion reactor systems. Attention is given to the
fundamental scientific aspects of nuclear materials: fuel and
structural materials for fission reactors, waste materials, and
materials for fusion reactors. The articles are written at a level
that allows undergraduate students to understand the material,
while providing active researchers with a ready reference resource
of information. Most of the chapters from the first Edition have
been revised and updated and a significant number of new topics are
covered in completely new material. During the ten years between
the two editions, the challenge for applications of nuclear
materials has been significantly impacted by world events, public
awareness, and technological innovation. Materials play a key role
as enablers of new technologies, and we trust that this new edition
of Comprehensive Nuclear Materials has captured the key recent
developments.
Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics merges two long-running
serials, Advances in Electronics and Electron Physics and Advances
in Optical and Electron Microscopy. The series features extended
articles on the physics of electron devices (especially
semiconductor devices), particle optics at high and low energies,
microlithography, image science, digital image processing,
electromagnetic wave propagation, electron microscopy, and the
computing methods used in all these domains.
Niels Bohr: Collected Works, Volume 13: Cumulative Subject Index
documents aspects of Niels Bohr's varied life and work in the form
of a cumulative subject index, with emphasis on his scientific
contributions in the field of physics. The general organization of
the material is thematic rather than strictly chronological,
allowing for the presentation of each paper (or group of papers)
along with other relevant material such as drafts, notes, letters,
and other items. The book is illustrated with rare photos and
includes explanatory notes as well as a bibliography. The
bibliography is restricted to the versions of Bohr's publications
reproduced in this volume and encompasses a wide range of topics in
physics, from the determination of the surface tension of water by
the method of jet vibration to the electron theory of metals and of
thermoelectric phenomena; the theory of the decrease of velocity of
moving electrified particles on passing through matter; the
constitution of atoms and molecules; and the spectra of helium and
hydrogen. Bohr's other papers focus on the effect of electric and
magnetic fields on spectral lines; the quantum theory of radiation
and the structure of the atom; the polarization of radiation in the
quantum theory; and collisions between atomic systems and free
electrical particles. This monograph will be useful to students,
practitioners, and researchers interested in Bohr's life and work
in general and in quantum mechanics in particular.
There have been many recent discussions of the replication crisis
in psychology and other social sciences. This has been attributed,
in part, to the fact that researchers hesitate to submit null
results and journals fail to publish such results. In this book,
Allan Franklin and Ronald Laymon analyze what constitutes a null
result and present evidence, spanning a 400-year history, that null
results play significant roles in physics. They begin with
Galileo's experiments on falling bodies and conclude with tests of
the weak equivalence principle in general relativity, the search
for physics beyond the Standard Model, and the search for
neutrinoless double beta decay, all in the 21st century. As these
case studies make evident, null results have refuted theories,
confirmed theories, provided evidence for potential new theories to
explain, introduced new experimental techniques, corrected previous
incorrect or misinterpreted results, and have been used to explore
previously unstudied phenomena. What makes these many roles
possible is the development of increasingly more accurate
replications of a zero value result and the value of these
replications for the effective treatment of systematic uncertainty.
The book concludes with a brief analysis of certain fundamental
differences between physics and social psychology in the role
played by replication where these differences explain the absence
of a replication crisis in physics.
Volume 3 of this three-part series presents more advanced topics
and applications of relativistic quantum field theory. The
application of quantum chromodynamics to high-energy particle
scattering is discussed with concrete examples for how to compute
QCD scattering cross sections. Experimental evidence for the
existence of quarks and gluons is then presented within the context
of the naive quark model and beyond. In addition the text reviews
our current understanding of the weak interaction, unified
electroweak theory and the Brout-Higgs-Englert mechanism for the
generation of gauge boson masses. The last two chapters contain a
self-contained introduction to finite temperature quantum field
theory with concrete examples focusing on the high-temperature
thermodynamics of scalar field theories, QED and QCD.
A deeper understanding of neutrinos, with the goal to reveal their
nature and exact role within particle physics, is at the frontier
of current research. This book reviews the field in a concise
fashion and highlights the most pressing issues, in addition to the
strongest areas of topical interest. The text provides a clear,
self-contained, and logical treatment of the fundamental physics
aspects appropriate for graduate students. Starting with the
relevant basics of the SM, neutrinos are introduced and the quantum
mechanical effect of oscillations is explained in detail. A strong
focus is then set on the phenomenon of lepton number violation,
especially in 0nbb decay, as the crucial probe to understand the
nature of neutrinos. The role of neutrinos in astrophysics -
expected to be of increasing importance for future research - is
then described. Finally, models to explain the neutrino properties
are outlined. The central theme of the book is the nature of
neutrino masses and the above topics revolve around this issue.
Volume 1 of this three-part series introduces the fundamental
concepts of quantum field theory using the formalism of canonical
quantization. This volume is intended for use as a text for an
introductory quantum field theory course that can include both
particle and condensed matter physics students. Starting with a
brief review of classical field theory as a jumping off point for
the quantization of classical fields, thereby promoting them to
proper quantum fields, formalism for real and complex scalar field
theories is then presented, followed by fermion field quantization,
gauge field quantization, toy models of the nuclear interaction,
and finally the full Lagrangian for QED and its renormalization.
Volume 2 of this three-part series presents the quantization of
classical field theory using the path integral formalism. For
students who wish to learn about relativistic quantum field theory
applied to particle physics, this accessible text is also useful
for students of condensed matter. Beginning with an introduction of
the path integral formalism for non-relativistic quantum mechanics,
the formalism is extended to quantum fields with an infinite number
of degrees of freedom. How to quantize gauge fields using the
Fadeev-Popov method, and fermionic fields using Grassman algebra,
is also explored before the path integral formulation of quantum
chromodynamics and its renormalization is presented. Finally, the
role played by topological solutions in non-abelian gauge theories
is discussed.
This book brings together two broad themes that have generated a
great deal of interested and excitement in the scientific and
technical community in the last 100 years or so: quantum tunnelling
and nonlinear dynamical systems. It applies these themes to
nanostructured solid state heterostructures operating at room
temperature to gain insight into novel photonic devices, systems
and applications.
The study of light has been an important part of science from its
beginning. The ancient Greeks and, prior to the Middle Ages,
Islamic scholars provided important insights. With the coming of
the Scientific Revolution in the 16th and 17th centuries, optics,
in the shape of telescopes and microscopes, provided the means to
study the universe from the very distant to the very small. Newton
introduced a scientific study of the nature of light itself and
today optics remains a key element of modern science, not only as
an enabling technology, but in quantum optics, as a means of
testing our fundamental understanding of quantum theory and the
nature of reality itself.
The nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) is the cornerstone of
nonproliferation and disarmament efforts, yet its negotiation and
success was not inevitable. This book aims to address the
developments that led to the negotiation of the treaty, examine its
implementation, and address challenges that the NPT faces going
forward. It begins with an overview of precursor efforts to
establish international limits on nuclear weapons and why these
efforts failed. It also looks at the changes in the political
environment and technical advances, which together increased the
threat of proliferation and drove states to negotiate the NPT. The
second chapter considers the negotiation of the treaty itself and
looks at the gap between US and Soviet positions on key areas like
alliance control of nuclear weapons, and how the two governments
found common ground on nonproliferation language. It also explores
the critical role played by the non-aligned movement to push
inclusion of disarmament provisions that would become the
foundation for Article VI of the treaty and the hesitancy of
nuclear-armed states to support disbarment language and timelines.
Chapter 3 of the book focuses on implementation of the NPT and its
initial successes in heading off states with nuclear weapons
research programs. It addresses how the treaty responded to
challenges like the dissolution of the Soviet Union and gaps
identified by the illicit nuclear weapons programs in Iraq and
North Korea in the early 1990s. Chapter 3 also includes a section
on the debate in 1995 over extending the treaty indefinitely, and
the compromises reached to satisfy the concerns of the non-nuclear
weapon states. Finally, Chapter 4 addresses some of the outstanding
challenges to the NPT that remain unresolved, such as the continued
failure to convene a conference on the Middle East WMD-free zone
and specify the consequences of withdrawing from the NPT, and
repurposing civilian nuclear technology transferred under the
treaty weapons purposes. It also looks at how the ban treaty under
negotiations in the United Nations will support or undermine the
NPT's objectives.
Electrostatic accelerators have been at the forefront of modern
technology since 1932, when Sir John Cockroft and Ernest Walton
developed the first accelerator. Although the electrostatic
accelerator field is more than 90 years old, the field and the
number of accelerators is growing more rapidly than ever. This book
provides an overview of the basic science and technology that
underlies the electrostatic accelerator field so it can serve as a
reference guide and textbook for accelerator engineers as well as
students and researchers who work with electrostatic accelerators.
Our understanding of subatomic particles developed over many years,
although a clear picture of the different particles, their
interactions and their inter-relationships only emerged in the
latter part of the twentieth century. The first subatomic particles
to be investigated were those which exhibit readily observable
macroscopic behavior, specifically these are the photon, which we
observe as light and the electron, which is manifested as
electricity. The true nature of these particles, however, only
became clear within the last century or so. The development of the
Standard Model provided clarification of the way in which various
particles, specifically the hadrons, relate to one another and the
way in which their properties are determined by their structure.
The final piece, perhaps, of the final model, that is the means by
which some particles acquire mass, has just recently been clarified
with the observation of the Higgs boson. Since the 1970s it has
been known that the measured solar neutrino flux was inconsistent
with the flux predicted by solar models. The existence of neutrinos
with mass would allow for neutrino flavor oscillations and would
provide an explanation for this discrepancy. Only in the past few
years, has there been clear experimental evidence that neutrinos
have mass. The description of particle structure on the basis of
the Standard Model, along with recent discoveries concerning
neutrino properties, provides us with a comprehensive picture of
the properties of subatomic particles. Part I of the present book
provides an overview of the Standard Model of particle physics
including an overview of the discovery and properties of the Higgs
boson. Part II of the book summarizes the important investigations
into the physics of neutrinos and provides an overview of the
interpretation of these studies.
This book is on inertial confinement fusion, an alternative way to
produce electrical power from hydrogen fuel by using powerful
lasers or particle beams. Two huge laser facilities are presently
under construction to show that this method works. It involves the
compression of tiny amounts (micrograms) of fuel to thousand times
solid density and pressures otherwise existing only in the centre
of stars. Thanks to advances in laser technology, it is now
possible to produce such extreme states of matter in the
laboratory. Recent developments have boosted laser intensities
again with new possibilities for laser particle accelerators, laser
nuclear physics, and fast ignition of fusion targets. This is a
reference book for those working on beam plasma physics, be it in
the context of fundamental research or applications to fusion
energy or novel ultra-bright laser sources. The book combines quite
different areas of physics: beam target interaction, dense plasmas,
hydrodynamic implosion and instabilities, radiative energy transfer
as well as fusion reactions. Particular attention is given to
simple and useful modeling, including dimensional analysis and
similarity solutions. Both authors have worked in this field for
more than 20 years. They want to address in particular those
teaching this topic to students and all those interested in
understanding the technical basis.
The neutron is an elementary particle that has been extensively
studied, both theoretically and experimentally. This book reviews
and analyses the results of the mainly experimental research on the
neutron and rationalizes what is known so far about its intrinsic
properties. The book covers topics that have not previously been
dealt with in detail, including the gravitational properties of the
neutron, precise determination of its mass, beta-decay, and its
electromagnetic properties. This translation is an updated version
of the original Russian text and also covers the more recent
advances made during the past 7-8 years, including the application
of methods based on the storage of ultra-cold neutrons to the study
of beta-decay, new precise measurement of the mass of the neutron,
and confirmation of modern theories of the internal structure of
the neutron.
This book summarizes the enormous amount of material accumulated in
the field of nuclear density functional theory over the last few
decades. The goal of the theory is to provide a complete
quantum-mechanical description and explanation of nuclear phenomena
in terms of the local density distribution as a basic ingredient
rather than the many-particle wavefunction. This leads to a
considerable reduction in the mathematical complexity of nuclear
many-body problems and to a great conceptual simplicity and visual
clarity in its theoretical treatment. The authors develop the
mathematical framework on which the theory is based and consider
the associated approaches used to analyse experimental data in a
variety of nuclei and nuclear processes with widely differing
properties.
Resonance Self-Shielding Calculation Methods in Nuclear Reactors
presents the latest progress in resonance self-shielding methods
for both deterministic and Mote Carlo methods, including key
advances over the last decade such as high-fidelity resonance
treatment, resonance interference effect and multi-group
equivalence. As the demand for high-fidelity resonance
self-shielding treatment is increasing due to the rapid development
of advanced nuclear reactor concepts and progression in high
performance computational technologies, this practical book guides
students and professionals in nuclear engineering and technology
through various methods with proven high precision and efficiency.
Radioactivity: History, Science, Vital Uses and Ominous Peril,
Third Edition provides an introduction to radioactivity, the
building blocks of matter, the fundamental forces in nature, and
the role of quarks and force carrier particles. This new edition
adds material on the dichotomy between the peaceful applications of
radioactivity and the threat to the continued existence of human
life from the potential use of more powerful and sophisticated
nuclear weapons. The book includes a current review of studies on
the probability of nuclear war and treaties, nonproliferation and
disarmament, along with historical insights into the achievements
of over 100 pioneers and Nobel Laureates. Through multiple worked
examples, the book answers many questions for the student, teacher
and practitioner as to the origins, properties and practical
applications of radioactivity in fields such as medicine,
biological and environmental research, industry, safe nuclear power
free of greenhouse gases and nuclear fusion. Ratings and Reviews of
Previous Editions: CHOICE Magazine, July 2008: "This work provides
an overview of the many interesting aspects of the science of
radioactive decays, including in-depth chapters that offer
reminiscences on the history and important personalities of the
field...This book can be useful as supplemental reading or as a
reference when developing course material for nuclear physics,
nuclear engineering, or health physics lectures. Special attention
has been given to a chapter on the role radioactivity plays in
everyday life applications...Generally the book is well produced
and will be a valuable resource...Many lectures can be lightened up
by including material from this work. Summing up: RECOMMENDED.
Upper division undergraduates through professionals; technical
program students." U. Greife, Colorado School of Mines, USA "I
found the biographical accounts of the various stalwarts of Physics
inspirational. Most of them, if not all, had to overcome economic
hardships or p[ersonal tragedies or had to do their groundbreaking
work in the face of tyranny and war. The biographies also
highlighted the high standards of moral convictions that the
scientists had as they realized the grave implications of some of
their work and the potential threats to humanity. This ought to
inspire and motivate young men and women aspiring to be physicists.
Even people who have been in the field for a while should find your
book re-energizing. It certainly had that effect on me." -- Dr.
Ramkumar Venkataraman, Canberra Industries, Inc., Meriden, CT, USA
Winner of an Honorable Mention in the 2017 PROSE Awards in the
category of Chemistry and Physics
(https://proseawards.com/winners/2017-award-winners/ )
Fast Reactors: A Solution to Fight Against Global Warming presents
the current status of fast-reactor nuclear generation technology,
with a focus on ecology and sustainability benefits for the future.
Author Joel Guidez analyzes past failures and limited deployment
reasons to help drive this power generation method forward to a
cleaner and more sustainable energy environment. The book covers
safety aspects, short-life waste management, multirecycling, and
biodiversity preservation to provide a well-rounded reference on
the topic.
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