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Books > Science & Mathematics > Physics > Nuclear structure physics
It began with plutonium, the first element ever manufactured in
quantity by humans. Fearing that the Germans would be the first to
weaponise the atom, the United States marshalled brilliant minds
and seemingly inexhaustible bodies to find a way to create a
nuclear chain reaction of inconceivable explosive power. In a
matter of months, the Hanford nuclear facility was built to produce
the enigmatic and deadly new material that would fuel atomic bombs.
In the desert of eastern Washington State, far from prying eyes,
scientists Glenn Seaborg, Enrico Fermi and thousands of others-the
physicists, engineers, labourers and support staff at the
facility-manufactured plutonium for the bomb dropped on Nagasaki,
and for the bombs in the current American nuclear arsenal, enabling
the construction of weapons with the potential to end human
civilisation. With his characteristic blend of scientific clarity
and storytelling, Steve Olson asks why Hanford has been largely
overlooked in histories of the Manhattan Project and the Cold War.
Olson, who grew up just twenty miles from Hanford's B Reactor,
recounts how a small Washington town played host to some of the
most influential scientists and engineers in American history as
they sought to create the substance at the core of the most
destructive weapons ever created. The Apocalypse Factory offers a
new generation this dramatic story of human achievement and
ultimately, of lethal hubris. *2020 marks the 75th anniversary of
the United States' detonation of nuclear weapons over the Japanese
cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945.
Atomic and Molecular Photoabsorption: Partial Cross Sections is a
companion work to Joseph Berkowitz's earlier work, Atomic and
Molecular Photoabsorption: Absolute Total Cross Sections, published
with Academic Press in 2002. In this work Joseph Berkowitz selected
the "best" absolute partial cross sections for the same species as
included in the companion work. A contrast, however, is that
photoabsorption measurements, being of order I/Io, do not require
the most intense light sources, whereas acquiring data on the
products of light interactions with gaseous matter (ions,
electrons, various coincidence measurements) has benefited
significantly with the arrival of second- and third-generation
synchrotrons. The newer devices have also extended the energy range
of the light sources to include the K-shells of the species
discussed here. The newer light sources encouraged experimentalists
to develop improved instrumentation. Thus, the determination of
partial cross sections continues to be an active field, with more
recent results in some cases superseding earlier ones. Where the
accuracy of the absolute partial cross sections is deemed
sufficient (less than five percent), numerical tables are included
in this new work. In other cases, the available data are presented
graphically.
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 both within the
context of the naive quark model and beyond. Dr Strickland then
reviews our current understanding of the weak interaction, the
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.
The present theme concerns the forces of nature, and what
investigations of these forces can tell us about the world we see
about us. The story of these forces is long and complex, and
contains many episodes that are not atypical of the bulk of
scientific research, which could have achieved greater acclaim 'if
only...'.The intention of this book is to introduce ideas of how
the visible world, and those parts of it that we cannot observe,
either because they are too small or too large for our scale of
perception, can be understood by consideration of only a few
fundamental forces. The subject in these pages will be the
authority of the commonly termed, laws of physics, which arise from
the forces of nature, and the corresponding constants of nature
(for example, the speed of light, c, the charge of the electron, e,
or the mass of the electron, me).
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.
The monograph describes the properties of the lightest nuclei with
large excess of neutrons. The results of theoretical and
experimental studies of neutron-rich isotopes with 1 Z 20 are
presented while also changes in the structure of nuclei when going
away from the line of -stability are discussed. Information
presented is on the mass, radii of distribution of nuclear matter,
energy levels for excited states of these nuclei, the possibility
of manifestation of a halo, as well as the deformation of nuclei
and the quantum properties of ground states. The position of the
boundary of nucleon stability for these nuclei is considered. The
effects associated with weakening and even the disappearing
influence of standard magic numbers and the appearance of new ones
are discussed.The results presented in the book will be useful in
other fields of science as well, including astrophysics.
This is an in-depth look at baryon number violation in the Standard
Model including the necessary background in finite temperature
field theory, plasma dynamics and how to calculate the out of
equilibrium evolution of particle number densities throughout a
phase transition. It is a self-contained pedagogical review of the
theoretical background to electroweak baryogenesis as well as a
summary of the other prevailing mechanisms for producing the
asymmetry between matter and antimatter using the Minimal
Supersymmetric Standard Model as a pedagogical tool whenever
appropriate.
This book provides an introduction to the emerging field of quantum
thermodynamics, with particular focus on its relation to quantum
information and its implications for quantum computers and next
generation quantum technologies. The text, aimed at graduate level
physics students with a working knowledge of quantum mechanics and
statistical physics, provides a brief overview of the development
of classical thermodynamics and its quantum formulation in Chapter
1. Chapter 2 then explores typical thermodynamic settings, such as
cycles and work extraction protocols, when the working material is
genuinely quantum. Finally, Chapter 3 explores the thermodynamics
of quantum information processing and introduces the reader to some
more state of-the-art topics in this exciting and rapidly
developing research field.
Isaiah 42:5 Th us saith God the Lord, he that created
the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread
forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he
that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to
them that walk therein: 6 I the Lord have called thee in
righteousness, and will hold thine hand and will keep
thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a
light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring
out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in
darkness out of the prison house. 8 I am the Lord: that is
my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither
my praise to graven images. 9 Behold, the former things
are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before
they spring forth I tell you of them. As the trials of this
generation intensify, the Lord God will begin to do new
things to get Himself glory. Those who trust Him with
their lives will be prepared.
One current-day man, with a spirit like Moses, is to
publish what new things, and who, is to spring forth.
Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a prophet from
among their brethren, like unto thee (Moses), and will
put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them
all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to
pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words
which he shall speak in my name I will require it of him.
The Lord God's word to all of creation from this
contemporary Moses is come: The Book Of Stone. Those
whom the Lord will call, may draw a kingly sword from
this stone.
With this spiritual sward,
And faith in the Lord,
Saints will overcome,
To the glory of the Kingdom
This book's importunate message is for those in the land of the
living. The judgment for the land in the west is set.
Amidst mounting fear, The Book Of Stone is God's light, from a man
with a spirit like Moses. Spiritually, YHWH will
remove the iniquity of those who seek Him. Physically, the world
will witness Moses, Elijah, and the servant BRANCH,
delivering believers to safety.
The secondary message is that a Redeemer will come in a way in
which none have considered. God Himself inspired the
compilation of the selected scriptures herein to announce that one
like unto the Son of Man will glorify God the Father
once again. And we shall go rejoining...
A standard view of elementary particles and forces is that they
determine everything else in the rest of physics, the whole of
chemistry, biology, geology, physiology and perhaps even human
behavior.This reductive view of physics is popular among some
physicists. Yet, there are other physicists who argue this is an
oversimplified and that the relationship of elementary particle
physics to these other domains is one of emergence. Several
objections have been raised from physics against proposals for
emergence (e.g., that genuinely emergent phenomena would violate
the standard model of elementary particle physics, or that genuine
emergence would disrupt the lawlike order physics has revealed).
Many of these objections rightly call into question typical
conceptions of emergence found in the philosophy literature. This
book explores whether physics points to a reductive or an emergent
structure of the world and proposes a physics-motivated conception
of emergence that leaves behind many of the problematic intuitions
shaping the philosophical conceptions. Examining several detailed
case studies reveal that the structure of physics and the practice
of physics research are both more interesting than is captured in
this reduction/emergence debate. The results point to stability
conditions playing a crucial though underappreciated role in the
physics of emergence. This contextual emergence has
thought-provoking consequences for physics and beyond, and will be
of interest to physics students, researchers, as well as those
interested in physics.
Electrostatic Accelerators have been at the forefront of modern
technology since the development by Sir John Cockroft and Ernest
Walton in 1932 of the first accelerator, which was the first to
achieve nuclear transmutation and earned them the Nobel Prize in
Physics in 1951. The applications of Cockroft and Walton's
development have been far reaching, even into our kitchens where it
is employed to generate the high voltage needed for the magnetron
in microwave ovens. Other electrostatic accelerator related Nobel
prize winning developments that have had a major socio-economic
impact are; the electron microscope where the beams of electrons
are produced by an electrostatic accelerator, X-rays and computer
tomography (CT) scanners where the X-rays are produced using an
electron accelerator and microelectronic technology where ion
implantation is used to dope the semiconductor chips which form the
basis of our computers, mobile phones and entertainment systems.
Although the Electrostatic Accelerator field is over 90 years old,
and only a handful of accelerators are used for their original
purpose in nuclear physics, the field and the number of
accelerators is growing more rapidly than ever. The objective of
this book is to collect together the basic science and technology
that underlies the Electrostatic Accelerator field so it can serve
as a handbook, reference guide and textbook for accelerator
engineers as well as students and researchers who work with
Electrostatic Accelerators.
This book is the Second Edition of the ground-breaking book on
faster-than-light travel Bright Stars, Bright Universe: Advancing
Civilization by Colonization of the Solar System and the Stars
using a Fast Quark Drive which described a new approach to
spacecraft propulsion that could enable Mankind to travel to the
stars, and beyond, to the galaxies of the known universe. In this
edition we add Appendices to the original edition (together with a
few minor changes to the First Edition) on Seeing and Navigating
through the Cosmos on superluminal starships; Complex Thrust using
Braided Accelerators; Suspended Animation to keep the biological
clocks of starship occupants in sync with earth time; Engineering
very long life starship and life support components; Robot guidance
and robot exploratory starships; and Fuel consumption on starships.
At the time of this writing the United States appears headed
towards a deficit of ten or eleven trillion dollars over the next
ten years. It appears that a likely cost for starship R&D would
be of the order of half a trillion dollars spread over perhaps
thirty years - a small amount relative to the projected US deficit
- with an enormous reward for success. On a yearly basis this
expense averages to about seventeen billion dollars per year. Since
the NASA budget is eighteen billion dollars a year, the cost of the
starship program is comparable and quite affordable. The formation
of an international consortium would further reduce the per country
costs. If the United States paid sixty per cent of the costs then
its share would be about ten billion dollars per year. It is a
venture of great significance to the future of Mankind. The cost is
relatively small; the benefits are potentially enormous! In a
series of recent books we explored the theoretical importance of
superluminal (faster-than-light) particles called tachyons in the
derivation of the form of the Standard Model of Elementary
Particles. We also showed some of the remarkable features of
superluminal particles such as reverse fission, length dilation,
and time contraction - quite the opposite of sublight phenomena. In
this book we examine the possibility of superluminal starship
propulsion for interstellar exploration and colonization. We begin
the book with a statement of the earth's present condition and the
need to expand into space or face a slow decline into a cultural
and social miasma. Then we develop a new plan for the exploration
and colonization of this solar system since it appears that current
announced plans have missed the mark and do not have an overall
long-term approach. Since this solar system lacks enough planets
that are congenial for human life we consider the possibility of
colonizing planets around other stars. Many plans have been
proposed for interstellar spaceships - starships. But they are
usually impractical for some good reason(s). In this book we will
consider superluminal (beyond light speed) starships based on
tachyon dynamics. They provide a practical means of starship
propulsion although much R&D must be done before the proposed
starships can be built. Once built they will support speeds up to
5,000 to 30,000 times the speed of light and beyond making the
universe Mankind's backyard. Travel times to other galaxies could
be as short as a few months. Superluminal starships open the door
to a vast expansion of humanity into the universe in the large! As
world population grows, and human social needs also grow, the
capacity of the world to mount a major space effort will diminish.
So a major space initiative with a well-thought out game plan is
required now, while we still have the resources.
Corrosion in nuclear power plants cause reductions in efficiency
and increases in deposit build-up on plant surfaces, making for
expensive maintentance and potential radiological health hazards.
This book guides studies to predict and minimize corrosion, thus
making nuclear power safer and more cost effective. Too often,
reliance on empirical models and on-site testing of existing plants
makes study and prediction of corrosive effects in nuclear reactors
into a pricey and lengthy process. Introducing the experimental
procedures, set up, sample preparation and computer modeling
suggested in this book will save precious time and resources in a
field where the significant time and expense to get and keep plants
on-line are two of the chief concerns preventing broader commerical
viability.
* The only book to focus exclusively on preventing nuclear
corrosion
* Uses computer modelling to tie together chemical engineering,
civil engineering, corrosion science, and nuclear engineering into
a cohesive solution to a vexing nucelar problem
* Includes all fundamental equations, example data sets and
experimental techniques
B Factories are particle colliders at which specific subatomic
particles - B mesons - are produced abundantly. The purpose is to
study the properties of their decays in great detail in order to
shed light on a mystery of eminently larger scale: why do we live
in a universe composed of anti-matter? This book introduces readers
to the physics laws of the CP asymmetry, touching on experimental
requirements needed to perform such measurements at the subatomic
level, and illustrating the main findings of the contemporary B
Factories.
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