About the Authors
Preface
PART I: BASIC CONCEPTS
Chapter 1: Energy
Abstract
1.1 Forces and energy
1.2 Units of measure
1.3 Thermal energy
1.4 Radiant energy
1.5 The equivalence of matter and energy
1.6 Energy and the world
1.7 Summary
Chapter 2: Atoms and nuclei
Abstract
2.1 Atomic theory
2.2 Gases
2.3 The atom and light
2.4 Laser beams
2.5 Nuclear structure
2.6 Sizes and masses of nuclei
2.7 Binding energy
2.8 Summary
Chapter 3: Radioactivity
Abstract
3.1 Nuclear stability
3.2 Radioactive decay
3.3 The decay law
3.4 Radioactive chains
3.5 Measurement of half-life
3.6 Summary
Chapter 4: Nuclear processes
Abstract
4.1 Transmutation of elements
4.2 Energy conservation
4.3 Momentum conservation
4.4 Reaction rates
4.5 Particle attenuation
4.6 Neutron cross sections
4.7 Neutron migration
4.8 Summary
Chapter 5: Radiation and materials
Abstract
5.1 Ionizing radiation
5.2 Light charged particle interactions
5.3 Heavy charged particle stopping by matter
5.4 Gamma-ray interactions with matter
5.5 Neutron reactions
5.6 Radiation effects and damage
5.7 Summary
Chapter 6: Fission
Abstract
6.1 The fission process
6.2 Energy considerations
6.3 By-products of fission
6.4 Energy from nuclear fuels
6.5 Summary
Chapter 7: Fusion*
Abstract
7.1 Fusion reactions
7.2 Electrostatic and nuclear forces
7.3 Thermonuclear reactions in a plasma
7.4 Summary
PART II: RADIATION AND ITS USES
Chapter 8: The history of nuclear energy
Abstract
8.1 The rise of nuclear physics
8.2 The discovery of fission
8.3 The development of nuclear weapons
8.4 The atomic energy acts
8.5 International atomic energy agency
8.6 Reactor research and development
8.7 The nuclear controversy
8.8 Summary
Chapter 9: Particle accelerators
Abstract
9.1 Electric and magnetic forces
9.2 High-voltage machines
9.3 Linear accelerator
9.4 Cyclotron and betatron
9.5 Synchrotron and collider
9.6 Accelerator applications
9.7 Spallation
9.8 Summary
9.9 Exercises
9.10 Computer exercises
Chapter 10: Biological effects of radiation
Abstract
10.1 Physiological effects
10.2 Radiation dose units
10.3 Basis for limits of exposure
10.4 Sources of radiation dosage
10.5 Radiation and terrorism
10.6 Summary
Chapter 11: Radiation protection*
Abstract
11.1 Protective measures
11.2 Calculation of dose
11.3 Effects of distance and shielding
11.4 Internal exposure
11.5 Radionuclides in the environment
11.6 The radon problem
11.7 Environmental radiological assessment§
11.8 Contemporary radiation standards
11.9 summary
Chapter 12: Radiation detectors*
Abstract
12.1 Detector characteristics
12.2 Gas counters
12.3 Neutron detectors
12.4 Scintillation counters
12.5 Personnel dosimetry
12.6 Solid-state detectors
12.7 Statistics of counting
12.8 Pulse height analysis
12.9 Advanced detectors
12.10 Detectors and counterterrorism
12.11 Summary
Chapter 13: Information from isotopes
Abstract
13.1 Stable and radioactive isotopes
13.2 Tracer techniques
13.3 Radiopharmaceuticals
13.4 Medical imaging
13.5 Radioimmunoassay
13.6 Radiometric dating
13.7 Neutron activation analysis
13.8 Radiography
13.9 Radiation gauges†
13.10 Summary
Chapter 14: Useful radiation effects
Abstract
14.1 Medical treatment
14.2 Radiation preservation of food
14.3 Sterilization of medical supplies
14.4 Pathogen reduction
14.5 Crop mutations
14.6 Insect control
14.7 Applications in chemistry
14.8 Transmutation doping of semiconductors
14.9 Neutrons in fundamental physics
14.10 Neutrons in biological studies
14.11 Research with synchrotron X-rays
14.12 Summary
PART III: NUCLEAR POWER
Chapter 15: Isotope separators
Abstract
15.1 Mass spectrograph
15.2 Gaseous diffusion separator
15.3 Gas centrifuge
15.4 Uranium enrichment
15.5 Laser isotope separation*
15.6 Separation of deuterium
15.7 Summary
Chapter 16: Neutron chain reactions
Abstract
16.1 Criticality and multiplication
16.2 Multiplication factors
16.3 Fast reactor criticality
16.4 Thermal reactor criticality
16.5 Four factor formula parameters
16.6 Neutron flux and reactor power
16.7 The natural reactor
16.8 Summary
Chapter 17: Nuclear heat energy
Abstract
17.1 Methods of heat transmission
17.2 Fuel element conduction and convection
17.3 Temperature distributions through a reactor
17.4 Steam generation and electrical power production
17.5 Waste heat rejection
17.6 Summary
Chapter 18: Nuclear power plants
Abstract
18.1 Reactor types
18.2 Power reactors
18.3 Power plant economics
18.4 Light water reactors
18.5 Other generation II reactors
18.6 Generation III(+) reactors
18.7 Small modular reactors
18.8 Generation IV reactors
18.9 Summary
Chapter 19: Reactor theory introduction
Abstract
19.1 The diffusion equation
19.2 Diffusion equation solutions
19.3 Reactor criticality
19.4 Heterogeneous reactor
19.5 Multigroup diffusion theory
19.6 Summary
Chapter 20: Time-dependent reactor behavior
Abstract
20.1 Neutron population growth
20.2 Reactor kinetics
20.3 Reactivity feedback
20.4 Reactor control
20.5 Fission product poisons
20.6 Fuel burnup
20.7 Summary
Chapter 21: Reactor safety and security
Abstract
21.1 Safety considerations
21.2 Assurance of safety
21.3 The nuclear regulatory commission
21.4 Emergency core cooling and containment
21.5 Probabilistic risk assessment
21.6 The three mile island accident and lessons learned
21.7 Institute of nuclear power operations§
21.8 The chernobyl accident
21.9 The fukushima daiichi accident
21.10 Philosophy of safety
21.11 Nuclear security
21.12 Summary
Chapter 22: Nuclear propulsion and remote power
Abstract
22.1 Reactors for naval propulsion*
22.2 Space reactors
22.3 Radioisotopic power
22.4 Future nuclear space applications
22.5 Summary
Chapter 23: Radioactive waste disposal
Abstract
23.1 The nuclear fuel cycle
23.2 Waste classification
23.3 Spent fuel storage
23.4 Transportation
23.5 Reprocessing
23.6 High-level waste disposal
23.7 Low-level waste generation, treatment, and disposal
23.8 Environmental restoration of defense sites
23.9 Nuclear power plant decommissioning
23.10 Summary
Chapter 24: Nuclear energy future
Abstract
24.1 Components of electrical power cost
24.2 Nuclear power stagnation
24.3 Nuclear power renaissance
24.4 World energy use
24.5 Nuclear energy and sustainable development
24.6 Greenhouse effect and global climate change
24.7 International nuclear power
24.8 Desalination
24.9 The hydrogen economy
24.10 Summary
Chapter 25: Breeder reactors
Abstract
25.1 The concept of breeding
25.2 Isotope production and consumption
25.3 The fast breeder reactor
25.4 Integral fast reactor
25.5 Breeding and uranium resources
25.6 Recycling and breeding
25.7 Summary
Chapter 26: Fusion reactors
Abstract
26.1 Comparison of fusion reactions
26.2 Requirements for practical fusion reactors
26.3 Magnetic confinement machines
26.4 Inertial confinement machines
26.5 Other fusion concepts
26.6 Prospects for fusion
26.7 Summary
Chapter 27: Nuclear weapons
Abstract
27.1 Nuclear power versus nuclear weapons
27.2 Nuclear explosives
27.3 The prevention of nuclear war
27.4 Nonproliferation and safeguards
27.5 IAEA inspections
27.6 Production of tritium
27.7 Management of weapons uranium and plutonium
27.8 Summary
Appendix A: Reference information and data
Appendix B: Textbook-specific information
B.1 How to use this book effectively
B.2 Computer programs
B.3 Answers to selected exercises
Index
