Course Title: FISSION AND FUSION PROCESSES FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY Credit Units: 4

Course Level: UG

TOTAL
CREDIT
UNITS

L T P/S SW/FW

Course Code: NST306

3

Course Objectives:
Fission and fusion are the fundamental processes for the production of nuclear energy. Nuclear fission is being employed for nuclear power production for last 50
years or so but nuclear fusion reactors are still beyond our reach because of the technical difficulties. The contents of this course will enrich the students about the
physics of both these processes.

Pre-requisites: Basic Nuclear physics

Course Contents/Syllabus:
Weight age
Module I Nuclear Fission
Nuclear Fission - Why nuclei fission? Bohr Wheeler theory of fissionability of nuclei, Characteristics of fission Mass
distribution of fragments, Number of emitted neutrons, fission product decay processes, fission cross sections, neutron cross
section/ spectrum(at energies from thermal to MeV regime), Energy in fission, spontaneous fission.
Module II Fission chain reactions
Controlled fission reactions, neutron reproduction factor, critical, subcritical and supercritical piles. Fast neutrons and their
moderation. The four-factor formula. Processes occurring in the single generation of neutrons.
Module III Nuclear Reactor
Nuclear reactor-types of reactors, converters, neutron energy, types of fuel, moderator, assembly, coolant. Optimizing the design,
Finite Reactor (Diffusion Theory, Continuity Equation), Reactor Operation.
Radioactive fission products. A natural fission reactor.
Module IV Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear fusion Basic fusion processes, characteristics of fusion, Coulomb barrier, cross section, reaction rate, solar fusion.
Energy production and thermonuclear reactions, origin of complex nuclei, Primordial nucleosynthesis, Stellar nucleosynthesis
(A<60 & A>60)

30%

20%

20%

30%

Controlled fusion reactors, confinement of plasma, the Lawson criterion, principle of tokamak method of magnetic confinement.
Introduction to components of fusion reactor (Diverter, Limiter, First wall, Blanket, Superconducting coils, Cryogenics,
fuel/coolant etc). Plasma Heating RF Heating and Neutral Beam Injection (NBI). The tokomak fusion test reactor (TFTR). The
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).

Student Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge about the fundamentals of Fission and Fusion Processes
Know how of the various generations and types of reactors
Synthesis of heavier nuclei during early times.
Pedagogy for Course Delivery:
The class will be taught using theory and case studies pertaining to nuclear reactor accidents. The course instructor will update himself time to time with the
advanced research in the concern field in order to make students aware with the recent trends. Also presentations and case presentations will be taken up along
with tutorials.

Assessment/ Examination Scheme:

Theory L/T (%)

Lab/Practical/Studio (%)

Total (%)

100%

NA

100%

Theory Assessment (L&T):

Continuous Assessment/Internal Assessment
Components (Drop down)
Weightage (%)

End Term Examination

Mid-Term Exam

Seminar/ Home
Assignment

Viva/
Quiz

Attendance

10%

7%

8%

5%

Text:
Introductory Nuclear Physics Kenneth S. Krane, John Wiley & Sons (1987)
Concept of Nuclear Physics Bernard L. Cohen, McGraw Hill(1972)
Nuclear Physics Principles and Applications John.S. Lilley(1971)
Tokamaks, John Wesson, Clarenden press Oxford(2004)

70%