PHY 306: Nuclear Physics

3 credits | Prerequisites: PHY 304 for Major; PHY 230 for Minor

Course rationale

Humankind has always been curious to know what the smallest constituents of matter are. The answer to this question has evolved with the accumulation of human knowledge. Through the plethora of experimental information, the existence of a nucleus has been established. To describe the properties of the nucleus and several nuclear phenomena, we need Quantum Mechanics (QM). In this core course, the students will learn the basics of Nuclear Physics with the proper use of Quantum Mechanics.

Course content

Classical Scattering Theory: introduction, scattering cross section, Rutherford scattering formula, properties of the formula, existence of the nucleus, some phenomenological data; Nuclear Decay: radioactive decay law, mean lifetime, sequential decay, multimodal decay, branching ratio, alpha, beta, and gamma decay; Review of Quantum Mechanics: the Schrodinger equation, time-independent Schrodinger equation, quantum tunneling, reflection and transmission coefficient; Quantum Mechanics in 3-dimensions: Schrodinger equation in a spherically symmetric potential, separation of variables, radial and angular equation; Quantum Theory of Angular Momentum: orbital angular momentum, commutation relation, quantization of orbital angular momentum, spin angular momentum; Nuclear Spin and Moment: nuclear spin, magnetic dipole moments, electric quadrupole moments, hyperfine structure, measuring nuclear moments; Nuclear Model: nuclear binding energy, the liquid drop model, the shell model, spin-orbit interaction, spin and parity of the nuclear ground states, magnetic dipole, excited states of the shell model; Alpha Decay: some phenomenology, WKB approximation, Gamow’s theory of alpha decay, angular momentum barrier, relativistic correction; Quantum Scattering Theory: spherical wave, partial wave analysis, Hankel function, Born approximation, retrieve of Rutherford scattering formula from Born approximation, Born series; Beta Decay: energy measurement, conservation of energy and momentum, Fermi theory of beta decay, experimental tests, angular momentum and parity, selection rules, neutrino physics; Gamma Decay: the origin of gamma rays, energy measurements, theory of gamma decay, selection rules, internal conversion, Mossbauer effect; Nuclear Reactions: fission and fusion, discovery, production and properties of neutrons. elastic and inelastic scattering; Q-value, nuclear cross-section, elementary kinematics, fission of the nucleus; nuclear reactor; nuclear fusion, fusion reactor.

Course objectives

  1. Understand various concepts of Nuclear Physics.
  2. Use Quantum Mechanics to understand different nuclear phenomena.
  3. Use appropriate mathematical formalism to solve different problems of interest.
  4. Understand different types of nuclear decay.
  5. Understand various concepts related to nuclear reactions.

References

  1. Introductory Nuclear Physics (3rd edition) by Kenneth S. Krane
  2. Nuclear and particle Physics (2nd edition) W.S.C Williams
  3. Concepts of Nuclear Physics by B.L. Cohen
  4. Particles and Nuclei- An Introduction to the Physical Concepts (6th edition) by B. Povh; K. Rith; C. Scholz; F. Zetsche
  5. Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics (4th edition) by N.A. Gelly
  6. Introduction to Nuclear Physics: (2nd edition) by H. A. Enge