Physics of Nuclear Energy

This textbook provides a comprehensive exploration of nuclear energy physics, focusing on the fundamentals of both nuclear physics and fusion energy production. The book includes the basics of quantum mechanics with applications to radioactive decay, nuclear reactions, and radiation penetration, as well as principles of magnetic confinement fusion.

Chapters cover the topics of statistical descriptions of many-body systems, cross-sections, electromagnetism, and special relativity. The author looks into nuclear reactions, fission reactors, plasma dynamics, the power balance in fusion reactors, magnetic field production, and engineering constraints. Additionally, he addresses edge plasma dynamics and the nuclear related challenges of fusion such as tritium breeding, and neutron-resistant material development.

The book is an essential resource for graduate students in engineering and researchers in nuclear energy. It provides a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of nuclear fusion, enabling readers to design fusion reactors and address the engineering challenges associated with them. Whether readers are scholars or practitioners in industrial engineering or related fields, this book provides valuable insights for advancing their understanding of nuclear energy.

1. Introduction to nuclear energy. - 2. The statistical description of many body systems. - 3. The cross section. - 4. Electromagnetism and special relativity. - 5. The experimental evidence of quantum mechanics. - 6. The theoretical basis of quantum mechanics. - 7. The structure of the nucleus and the radioactive decay processes. - 8. Nuclear reactions. - 9. Fission reactors. - 10. The penetration of radiation through matter. - 11. Introduction to plasmas. - 12. Collisions in plasmas. - 13. Toroidal magnetic con nement. - 14. Power balance of fusion power plants. - 15. Particle motion in electric and magnetic elds. - 16. Forces between currents and ux balance. - 17. Plasma equilibrium. - 18. Scrape-off Layer dynamics. - 19. The nuclear challenges of a fusion power plant. - Glossary. - Appendix.