Name of subject:
Fundamentals of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Protection
(FNE-RP)
Code:
240NU011
ECTS Credits:
8
Unit responsible:
240 – ETSEIB – School of Industrial Engineering of Barcelona
Department:
Fisica I Enginyeria Nuclear – Institut de Tecniques Energetiques
Starting course:
2012/2013
Degrees:
Unit Type Education:
Teachers
Subject responsible:
Francisco Calviño
Teachers:
Francisco Calviño
[email protected]
PhD in Physics. Works in n-induced reactions’ cross-section
measurements
Alfredo de Blas
[email protected]
PhD in Engineering. Works in detection systems
Maria Amor Duch
[email protected]
PhD in Physics. Radiological Protection officer of the UPC
Merce Ginjaume
[email protected]
PhD in Physics. Works in dosimetry
Josep Sempau
[email protected]
PhD in Physics. Works in Monte Carlo Methods for EM radiation
Skills
Specific:
Student will:
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acquire knowledge of the fundamentals needed to understand nuclear energy
production by nuclear fission and fusion.
acquire the knowledge about the basic mechanisms of interaction of ionizing radiation
with matter, and be able to relate them with different phenomena and applications in
nuclear technology
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acquire the capacity to use ionizing radiation detectors, to select the most
appropriated one for different applications, and understand the associated
instrumentation
be able to apply radiation protection principles and techniques to reduce the risks
arising from the use of ionizing radiation
be able to use effectively, understand the functioning and ranges of validity, and
interpreting the results of codes for the calculation of the transport of electromagnetic
radiation, charged particles and neutrons
Generic:
Effective oral and written communication
Teamwork
Independent Learning
Solvent use of information resource
Sustainability and social commitment
Entrepreneurship and innovation
English
Project Management
Methodology
This course serves as the foundation for other courses of the master degree, covering the most
basic and fundamental aspects of:
Atoms, Nuclei & Radioactivity
Neutron, photon & charged particles Interaction with matter
Ionizing radiation detection
Dosimetry & Radiological Protection
The mean workload is 200h/semester (18 effective weeks), of which 40% are contact hours in
sessions of two hours each. Contact sessions (4 h/week) are devoted to lectures on theoretical
concepts, problem solving and laboratory work. Autonomous work (6h/week) should be
dedicated to personal study (consolidate and expand what have been covered in the contact
sessions) and to work on assignments.
The grading of the course will be based on continuous evaluation. Assessment is based on
assignments (team work), formal exams and short activities during the class time. The
contribution to the final mark are: 40% from Long term assignments ,20% from short term
assignments together with in-class short activities, and 40% from formal exams. An overall
analysis of the student performance along the semester will be used to modulate (±10%) his
final grade.
Teachers are wishful to help in the learning experience of students. They are advised to seek
teacher's assistance as often as needed.
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Team work (collaborative) is part of the scheduled task of the course and is strongly
supported. The teacher staff encourages that students help, and seek help from, their
classmates.
Plagiarism, copying, lack of commitment in group’s tasks, etc. are absolutely unacceptable. Any
non-ethical behavior and attitude will be firmly penalized
Objectives
After completing the subject, the student will be able to:
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To use models of atomic and nuclear structure in order to explain the origin and
nature of atomic and nuclear radiation, and justify the basic principles to obtain energy
of nuclear origin.
To use the time evolution laws of radioactive samples to determine its activity and the
main radiation emitted per unit time.
To describe the main mechanisms of interaction of radiation, from atomic and nuclear
origin, with matter and calculate quantities related to these interactions.
To analyze the kinematics of nuclear reactions and derive expressions to calculate the
energies of the reaction products.
To use, fluently, the concept and values, in internationally recognized database, of
cross section, for calculations of reaction rate, probability of interaction and other
derived quantities, and apply them to the processes of neutron interaction with
matter.
Derive and apply the equations of formation and evolution of radionuclides within a
nuclear reactor as a function of time
To identify the basic concepts and quantities that characterizes radiation transport and
its effects on matter.
To be able to discern between directly and indirectly ionizing radiation and gave a
description of their properties.
To identify and describe the main interaction mechanisms between charged particles
and matter.
To present the meaning of stopping power and its relation with the energy deposited
in a given material medium.
To identify and describe the main interaction mechanisms between photons and
matter.
Explain the basic physical processes of each type of ionizing radiation detector
Analyze the influence of the processes of interaction of ionizing particles in its
detection
Perform experimental measurements of ionizing radiation and analyze the results.
Determine the activity or the intensity of the source and the error associated with the
stochastic nature of radiation
Select the appropriate detection system based on the type of radiation and the type of
analysis required
Identify the quantities and units of use in the field of radiation protection.
Explain the biological effects of ionizing radiation and the need of optimization
techniques.
Estimate radiation doses
Perform shielding calculations and contribute to teamwork working on complex
shielding projects.
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Apply radiation protection techniques to reduce the risks arising from the use of
ionizing radiation.
Course description
1. Fundamentals of atomic and nuclear physics, and
radioactivity
Dedication: 25h
Theory: 8h
Problems: 2h
Independent learning: 15h
Competencies:
At the end of this topic, the student should be able to:
- Define the units of mass, energy and length used in nuclear physics and deduce the
equivalence with the corresponding SI units
- Define the basic concepts and magnitudes of relativistic mass, momentum, total
energy, and kinetic energy. Deduce the relationships between them and apply them
in problem solving and practical situations
- Derive, and apply, the equivalence of mass and energy
- Deduce, in simple situations, the main equations associated to the conservation of
energy and momentum in the framework of relativity
- Define the concepts of energy level, ground and excited states of the atom. Relate
each of them to the others
- Enumerate the different atomic de-excitation mechanisms, and its relative
importance.
- Justify the need of nuclear forces in order to explain the existence of the nucleus.
Describe the main features and compare the intensity of the Coulomb force
between two nucleons at different separation distances
- Enumerate the nuclear processes responsible of energy production
- Define and give examples of nuclides, isotopes, isobars and isotones
- Define and explain the concepts of mass defect, binding energy of the nucleus and
average binding energy per nucleon. Describe and analyze the behavior of the latter
magnitude as a function of mass number and draw conclusions about the type of
useful reactions for the production of nuclear energy
- Describe, in a first approximation, the nuclear shell model. Define ground and
excited states of a nucleus. Explain what is the most common mechanism of deexcitation of an excited nucleus
- Define the terms: Radioactivity, Radioactive decay constant, radioactive half-life,
Activity, Curie, Becquerel
- Given the number of atoms and either the half-life or decay constant of a nuclide,
calculate the activity.
- Given the initial activity and the decay constant of a nuclide, calculate the activity at
any later time.
- Convert between the half-life and decay constant for a nuclide.
- Given the Chart of the Nuclides and the original activity, plot the radioactive decay
curve for a nuclide.
- Define the terms: Radioactive equilibrium and Transient radioactive equilibrium
- Describe the following nuclear processes: Alpha decay, Beta-minus decay, Beta-plus
decay, Electron capture, Internal conversions and Isomeric transitions.
- Given a Chart of the Nuclides, write the radioactive decay chain for a nuclide.
- Explain why one or more gamma rays, atomic electrons, X-Rays, etc. typically
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accompany particle emission.
Apply the principles of energy and momentum conservation to any radioactive
process, and deduce the main kinematic properties of the emitted radiation.
Describe the basic properties of the emitted particles for each radioactive decay
process.
Given the stability curve on the Chart of the Nuclides, determine the type of
radioactive decay that the nuclides in each region of the chart will typically undergo.
Description:
1.1. Atomic models. Energy levels and states
1.2. Ionization and excitation
1.3. Atomic radiations
1.4. Mas, radius and charge of the nucleus
1.5. Nuclear models. Energy levels and states
1.6. Nuclear force
1.7. Nuclear stability
1.8. Binding energy
1.9. Radioactive processes
1.10. Time evolution of radioactive samples
1.11. Decay chains
1.12. Activation
1.13. Alfa decay
1.14. Beta decays
1.15. Gamma decay
Basic description of shell models. Most common radiation emitted by atomic and nuclear
processes. Decay law for radioactive nuclides (single, branching, chain). Basic properties of
nuclear decay processes and radiation. Kinematics a nuclear decays.
Activities:
Lectures (8h), Problem solving in class (2h), personal study and assignments (15h)
2.1 Neutron interaction with matter
Dedication: 25h
Theory: 8h
Problems: 2h
Independent learning: 15h
Competencies:
At the end of this topic, the student should be able to:
- Define the concept of nuclear reaction, enunciate the main laws of conservation and
use them to study the kinematics of these processes
- Describe the main nuclear models used to study nuclear reactions and indicate their
field of validity and their limitations.
- Describe the compound nucleus model, specify the conditions of validity and use it
to justify the general behavior of the variation of the cross section with energy.
- Define and describe the main cases of direct reaction
- Justify the need to classify neutrons according to its energy and describe and classify
the main neutron induced reactions.
- Characterize each of the neutron induced reactions considering the type of process
and its technological importance, the results of the kinematic study, and the
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variation of the cross section with energy.
Justify the technological interest of the fission reaction in relation to the use of
nuclear energy, and identify the problems arising and their causes.
Describe, justify and specify the influence of atomic motion of the atoms from the
target (Doppler effect) on the cross sections in the energy regions where it behaves
as 1/v and as a constant, in the resonance, and elastic diffusion energy regions
Define the main quantities that characterize a fission chain reaction, establish the
conditions to be met by a multiplier so that criticality can be achieved, and deduce
the “four factor” formula
Describe the main features of the fusion reaction and verify its interest in
technological terms as a source of nuclear energy, and identify its problems and
their causes
Description:
Nuclear reactions
2.1.1.
Description
2.1.2.
Principles of conservation
2.1.3.
Kinematics
2.1.4.
Cross section
2.1.5.
Resonances. Breit-Wigner formula
2.1.6.
Basic nuclear models
2.1.7.
Compound nucleus
2.1.8.
Optical model
2.1.9.
Direct reactions
Neutron interaction
2.1.10.
Types of neutrons by its energy.
2.1.11.
Main interaction processes.
2.1.12.
Scattering.
2.1.13.
Absorption
2.1.14.
Radiative capture
2.1.15.
Charged particle emission
2.1.16.
Fission
Kinematics of X(a,b)Y nuclear reactions. Introduction to very basic aspects of different
nuclear models used to study nuclear reactions. Use of databases of nuclear properties.
Activities:
Lectures (8h), Problem solving in class (2h), personal study and assignments (15h)
2.2 EM interactions of photons and charged
particles with matter
Dedication: 20h
Theory: 6h
Problems: 2h
Independent learning: 12h
Competencies:
At the end of this topic, the student should be able to:
- identify the basic concepts and quantities that characterize radiation transport and
its effects on matter.
- be able to discern between directly and indirectly ionizing radiation and gave a
description of their properties.
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identify and describe the main interaction mechanisms between charged particles
and matter.
present the meaning of stopping power and its relation with the energy deposited in
a given material medium.
identify and describe the main interaction mechanisms between photons and
matter.
Description:
2.2.1.
2.2.2.
2.2.3.
2.2.4.
2.2.5.
2.2.6.
2.2.7.
2.2.8.
2.2.9.
2.2.10.
2.2.11.
Charged particle energy loss mechanisms
Ionization and excitation. Bremsstrahlung
Stopping power. Linear energy transfer
Range
Photon interactions with matter
Alpha particle interactions
Electron interactions
Photoelectric absorption
Compton scattering
Pair production
Attenuation and absorption of gamma radiation
A brief historical introduction of the fundamental concepts will be given. The basic
quantities that characterize a radiation field and its effects on matter (flux density, fluence,
cross section, etc.) will be described. We will also present the most relevant interaction
mechanisms between charged particles and matter and between photons and matter,
focusing on the available data bases, their interpretation and practical use.
Activities:
Lectures (6h), Exercises in the classroom (2h), Independent work including assignment (12h)
3. Introduction to the detection of ionizing
radiation
Dedication: 35h
Theory: 6h
Laboratory: 8h
Independent learning: 21h
Competencies:
At the end of this topic, the student should be able to:
− Identify the parts of a detection system
− Explain how affects the stochastic nature of the radiation to the measurement of the
radiation
− Identify the main components of the background radiation
− Identify the basic nuclear instrumentation modules and comment its function
− Use the statistics models suitable with the detection and measurement of the radiation
− Determine a representative value of a detection experiment using the statistics models
and the error propagation formula
− Identify the factors affecting the efficiency. Determine the efficiency for a determined
detection system and the activity of radioactive source
− Determine of the activity of a radioactive source from the number of counts measured
on a radiation detector using the efficiency
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− Define the concept of Dead Time of a detection system
− Correct the Dead Time of a measurement applying the most suitable model for dead
time behavior
− Identify the information an energy spectrum
− Explain the basic physical processes of each type of ionizing radiation detector
− Analyze the influence of the processes of interaction of ionizing particles in its detection
− Perform experimental measurements of ionizing radiation and analyze the results.
Description:
Introduction to Radiation Detection
3.1.
Nature of ionizing radiation
3.2.
Basic scenario on radiation detection
3.3.
Nuclear instrumentation
3.4.
Statistics for Radiation Detection
General characteristics of detectors
3.5.
Efficiency
3.6.
Dead time
3.7.
Introduction to spectrometry
Detectors
3.8.
Gas-filled counters.
3.9.
Scintillation detectors
3.10.
Semiconductor detectors
Description of principles of radiation detection, types of measurement, state of art,
stochastic nature of radiation and its influence on its detection, analysis of the basic
scenario, sources of background and its influence. Introduction to the instrumentation
associated with detectors, modes of operation. Determination of the activity from a source,
the attenuation of a material and introduction to spectrometric analysis.
Activities:
Lectures (6h), Problems solving in class (2 h), Laboratory sessions (6 h), Personal study and
assignment (21 h)
4. Fundamentals on Radiological Protection
Dedication: 60h
Theory: 13h
Laboratory - Problems: 11h
Independent learning: 36 h
Competencies:
At the end of this topic, the student should be able to:
- Identify the quantities and units of use in the field of radiation protection.
- Explain the biological effects of ionizing radiation and the need of optimization
techniques.
- Estimate radiation doses
- Perform shielding calculations and contribute to teamwork working on complex
shielding projects.
- Apply radiation protection techniques to reduce the risks arising from the use of
ionizing radiation.
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Select the appropriate monitoring techniques for individuals.
be able to use effectively, understand the functioning and ranges of validity, and
interpreting the results of codes for the calculation of the transport of
electromagnetic radiation and charged particles and neutrons
Description:
4.1. Quantities and units of RP
4.2. Biological effects
4.3. The system of radiological protection
4.4. Dosimetry of ionizing radiation
4.5. Individual monitoring
4.6. Shielding design
4.7. Radioactive contamination
4.8. External exposure protection
Activities:
Lectures (13h), Laboratory and computer assisted problem solving (11h), Personal study and
assignment (36 h)
Evaluation System
Long term (LT) Assignments
Formal highly demanding tasks to be developed along 2-3 weeks. Essays on, and
summaries of theoretical topics, problem collections, laboratory reports, solutions to
real world problems, …
Team work (one is individual)
One every two-three weeks
Deliverable: Report, short talk, …
All are part of the grading scheme
Short term (ST) Assignments
Short tasks to be developed in 1-2 days. Problems, simple questions, …
Either team or individual work
Some are part of the grading scheme (those will be clearly tagged)
Threshold (Th) Exams:
Formal exams covering the very basic (therefore, fundamental) concepts, procedures,
etc.
Three of 1-2 h.
Threshold mark: 8 out of 10. Applies to each question.
Two opportunities per exam. The second one has a penalty of 20% and the Threshold
mark does not apply.
All are part of the grading scheme
Micro-Assessment:
Short exercises, test, questionnaires, short talks…at any moment in contact sessions
Some will serve to modulate the group’s mark of LT-Assignments
Some are part of the grading scheme (those will be clearly tagged)
Grading scheme
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40% LT-Assignments (group mark –one individual–)
40% Th exams (Individual) Two opportunities. Second: 20% penalty
20% ST-Assignments & Micro-assessment (Individual and/or team). Modulates LTAssignment marks
±10% depending on group/individual performance
Bibliography
Basic:
Lecture notes, exercises, problems, … available at the course’s Intranet
Extra:
“Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory Handbook”, DOE-HDBK-1019/1-93.
"The Atomic Nucleus", Robley D. Evans
“Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory”, John R. Lamarsh
“Radiation Detection and Measurement “, G.F. Knoll
“Radiation Shielding”, J.K. Shultis and R.E. Faw
“An Introduction to the Passage of Energetic Particles through Matter “, N.J. Carron
“Fundamental Quantities and Units for Ionizing Radiation “, ICRU Report 60 (1998)
“Stopping Powers for Electrons and Positrons “, ICRU Report 37 (1984)
“Stopping Powers and Ranges for Protons and Alpha Particles “, ICRU Report 49 (1993)
“A Handbook of Radioactivity Measurement Procedures (2nd edition)”, ICRP 58
“Measurement and Detection of Radiation (3rd edition)”, N. Tsoulfanidis and S.
Landsberger
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