Course Meeting Times

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Overview

This subject deals with neutron interactions, particularly elastic and inelastic (in the molecular sense) scattering, and the various applications made possible by these processes, from fission reactor criticality to radiation damage, microdosimetry, imaging, and fundamental research. A particular distinction in the treatment is made between effects of single collisions and the distributions resulting from multiple collisions. Another feature of the subject is the introduction of particle simulation techniques, both Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics, as practical approaches to determining the various distributions. The intent is to provide the student with a unified framework for the quantitative understanding of the complex behavior of nuclear systems.

The course is motivated by the combination of two themes, the study of particle distributions as a consequence of many nuclear interactions, and the widespread use of simulation to determine particle distribution in complex Nuclear Engineering problems. Within ten years the way we think of neutrons will change due to a roughly 8 orders of magnitude increase in computational power, brought on by faster chip speeds, automated variance reduction and parallel processing (Beowulf clusters). To be ready, today's students must master, in the broadest sense, the fundamentals of theory and computation. 22.106 will get you started on that path.

Format

Subject will be taught on the basis of class lectures with supplemental materials distributed or assigned in class. There will be several problem sets, a term project, a written quiz, and an oral exam at the end of the term.

Prerequisite

Applied Nuclear Physics (22.101)

Grading