MPhys Physics

The unit begins with the interaction of radiation with matter, covering charged and neutral particles. These fundamental principles are used as the basis for much of the rest of the content. The detection of radiation is studied next, looking at how the interaction of radiation can be used to determine its properties by the use of different detection mechanisms. The course then moves to the health effects and applications of radiation, to develop understanding of the risks radiation poses, and how radiation can be used for therapeutic purposes. The next topic is energy generation, covering both commercial power production from nuclear fission and the potential of nuclear fusion for future generation. This links to the following section on nuclear astrophysics, which details the processes of stellar fusion and production of different nuclides. The final topic of the course is radionuclides in the environment, which looks at how radioactivity can be used in different dating techniques, monitoring of radionuclides in the environment, and how nuclear physics can be applied to nuclear non-proliferation. 

Follow - Up Units

PHYS40421 - Nuclear Structure and Exotic Nuclei

MACE31642 and postgraduate courses

To introduce the applications of nuclear physics across the fields of science and technology. To develop students’ understanding of how the fundamental principles of nuclear and radiation physics can be used as a basis for solving problems both in physics and wider society. 

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

ILO 1

Describe the mechanisms by which radiation interacts with matter, is detected and can do damage to biological organisms.

ILO 2

Explain the applications of nuclear physics to radiotherapy, energy generation, dating and the environment.

ILO3

Use nuclear physics principles to explain the origin of nuclides in stars, the Earth and the human environment.

ILO 4

Calculate solutions to problems based on the application of nuclear physics concepts.

ILO 5

Derive the key relationships describing nuclear behaviour and properties of radiation which are exploited in areas of application from fundamental concepts and nuclear properties.

ILO 6

Evaluate the benefits and risks of nuclear physics, radiation and their applications

1.   Interaction of Radiation with Matter
Theory and general features for charged particles - the Bethe-Bloch equation
Photon interactions - photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, pair production
Neutron scattering and absorption
Attenuation and shielding

2.   Radiation detection
Gas-filled counters - ionization chambers, proportional and Geiger counters
Scintillators - properties of different phosphors
Semiconductor detectors: silicon, germanium

3.   Biological effects of radiation
Stages of damage in tissue - response to different radiation types
Radiation dosimetry - activity, dose, quality factor
Radiobiological effects - molecular damage and repair, cell survival
Human exposure and risk
Environmental factors

4.   Nuclear fission
Fission and nuclear structure, energy in fission
Fission products, prompt and delayed neutrons - chain reaction and critical mass
Role of thermal neutrons - neutron moderation
The thermal fission reactor: the neutron economy, criticality
Homogeneous reactor examples - infinite and finite reactor
Operation and control
Accidents

5.   Nuclear fusion
Basic reactions and energetics
Controlled fusion - magnetic confinement, inertial confinement 

6.  Applications of nuclear techniques
Nuclear forensics and safeguards
Radiometric dating techniques
Radiation diagnosis and therapy
 

Two hours of in-person lectures per week covering the course material. The recordings of these lectures will be available on the podcast service and linked to the course VLE page. The lectures are accompanied by notes, which include additional content beyond what is given in the lectures. Tutorial questions and full written solutions are provided at the end of each chapter. Short questions and written answers are provided each week. A Piazza discussion forum is also available where students can ask questions with answers provided by other students and the unit leaders. 

• In-class discussion 

• Online discussion board 

• Model answers for review and tutorial questions

Lilley, J. (2001). Nuclear Physics Principles and Applications. Wiley.

Shultis, J. Kenneth and Richard E. Faw (2016). Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering. 3rd. CRC Press.

Knoll, G. F. (2010). Radiation Detection and Measurement. 4th. Wiley.

Marti, Alan D. et al. (2012) An Introduction to Radiation Protection. 6th. Hodder Arnold.

Lamarsh, John R. and Anthony J. Baratta. (2014) Introduction to Nuclear Engineering. 3rd. Pearson.

Freidberg, Jeffrey P. (2007) Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy. Cambridge University Press

Krane, Kenneth S. (1988) Introductory Nuclear Physics. Wiley.

Dickin, A. P. (1995). Radiogenic Isotope Geology. Cambridge University Press.