Nuclear Reactor Physics is a prfect blend of applied physics and top-notch engineering practices and applications. The subject deals with the fundamental knowledge of (a) the fission-chain-reaction to induce a controlled rate of fission in a nuclear reactor, and (b) the fusion reaction for the production of enormous amount of clean energy. The existing fission-based nuclear reactors use chain reaction to induce controlled nuclear fission in fissile material, releasing both energy and free neutrons for ongoing chain reaction and for converting fertile isotopes into fissile isotopes. However, in fusion reactors, the light elements fuse to create even more energy than the fission reactors.
The physics of nuclear fission and fusion has several quirks that affect nuclear reactors' design and behavior and make them some of the most complex engineering systems ever created by humankind.
This course presents a general overview of nuclear reactors, different processes involved in them, world energy scenario, and the very idea of nuclear waste management.
This course is carefully designed to introduce a concepts, ideas and models used in nuclear reactor technology.
The source of energy in fission and fusion reactors.
Basic processes that occur in a reactor and different aspects of nuclear technology employed.
Calculating energy and neutron budget.
The process of slowing down neutrons in various media (say, in fission reactors) from the standpoint of understanding the physics of the process.
Important parameters including performance and safety of a reactor, and the waste management.
How safe and clean the nuclear energy actully is ?
What is the best energy source for a country like India for at least next 60 years?
Comparison of different energy sources in terms of hazardious emission, cost, space and even safety.