- UCAS course code
- F346
- UCAS institution code
- M20
MPhys Physics with Theoretical Physics / Course details
Year of entry: 2027
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Course unit details:
Nuclear Structure and Reactions
| Unit code | PHYS40922 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | Level 7 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Offered by | Department of Physics & Astronomy |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to nuclear structure and reactions, moving from the fundamental symmetries and forces that bind nucleons to practical models of scattering, reactions, and nuclear dynamics. Students will study nuclear forces, reaction mechanisms, and nuclear structure, before exploring collective phenomena such as deformation, vibrations, and rotations. The course culminates with modern developments in exotic nuclei alongside cutting-edge experimental techniques such as transfer reactions.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Physics | PHYS30021 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
The unit aims to introduce the main features of the forces between nucleons, reactions between nuclei and models of nuclear structure, and to link to modern research in nuclear physics.
Learning outcomes
| ILO 1 | Describe the main features of the forces between protons and neutrons, and their relation to the underlying forces between quarks.
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| ILO 2 | Use cross sections and phase shifts to calculate quantum mechanical scattering processes.
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| ILO 3 | Show how simple models can explain the main features of nuclear reactions.
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| ILO 4 | Evaluate how single-particle and collective nuclear models are used to describe nuclear structure.
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| ILO 5 | Demonstrate how modern experimental techniques can be
Syllabus (S8, 36 lectures) 1. Nuclear forces (8 lectures): Symmetries in nuclear physics. Quarks to pions to nucleons. The deuteron. Scattering in QM systems. Partial waves. Effective-range expansion. Pion-exchange force. Isospin. NN interaction (Central, SO, tensor) 2. Nuclear reactions (7 lectures): Revision of Q-values. Reaction cross sections. Resonances. Optical Potential. Compound nucleus. Direct reactions (transfer). Fusion and the Sharp Cut Off Model. Limitations to Fusion. 3. Single-particle structure (7 lectures): Review of IPM. Shell model. Residual interactions. Two-particle states and mixing. Pairing. Spectra near closed shells. 4. Collective structure (3 lectures): Mean field. Deformation. Vibrational and rotational nuclei. 5. New physics in exotic nuclei (8 lectures): Proton and neutron driplines. Evolving shell structure. Fission limit and superheavy elements. Heavy-ion fusion. Techniques: transfer reactions, Coulex, laser spectroscopy, decay spectroscopy. 6. 3 revision/example classes (3 lectures): One each after Section 2, Section 4 and Section 5
Synchronous learning: 33 lectures 3 revision sessions / example classes Asynchronous learning: Material available online prior to teaching sessions: Short videos of lecture material Schematic summary of key concepts Lecture notes Lecture slides (if used) | ||||||||||||