Contents
| CONTENTS and LECTURE PLANS |
| Q-value and a classical approach of compound nucleus formation as a possible mechanism of nuclear reaction, different examples of nuclear reactions, energy release in various nuclear fission and fusion reactions are discussed in the first part of this module. (3 lectures) The second part describes fission and fusion reactors. In fission reactor, nuclear chain reaction, critical size, reproduction factor, design of a power reactor with fuel core, moderator, reflector, coolant, control, safety and nuclear breeding process are discussed. In fusion reactor, Lawson criteria, heating of plasma, confinement of plasma in magnetic mirror and tokamak, basic concepts of plasma instabilities, generation of nuclear power and future challenges are discussed. (5 lectures ). |
| Lecture 1: |
| In this lecture the definition of nuclear reaction, Q-value of a nuclear reaction, conserved quantities in a nuclear reaction and a classical model on compound nucleus formation are discussed. |
| Lecture 2: |
| This lecture contains a discussion on definition of nuclear reaction cross section, examples of various types of nuclear reactions including nuclear fission and fusion. |
| Lecture 3: |
| Fission reaction mechanism based on liquid drop model, Energy calculation in nuclear fission reaction, condition for sustained nuclear fission, chain reaction and criticality involved in fission process are the subject matters of this lecture. |
| Lecture 4 & 5: |
| Detailed design aspects of nuclear fission reactor, which include the core, moderator, reflector, transport of heat energy and control system is the content of this lecture. |
| Lecture 6: |
| In this lecture the energy generation in fusion reaction, H-H fusion cycle, C-N fusion cycle, fusion and stellar evolution, Lawson criterion, fusion reaction rate are discussed. |
| Lecture 7: |
| This lecture deals with various ways to generate plasma, heating process of the plasma, confinement of plasma and finally the design of a tokamak. |
| Lecture 8: |
| In this lecture various issues related to tokamak and the present status of fusion reactor is highlighted. |