This unique volume gives an accurate and very detailed description of the functioning and operation of basic nuclear reactors, as emerging from yet unpublished papers by Nobel Laureate Enrico Fermi. In the first part, the entire course of lectures on Neutron Physics delivered by Fermi at Los Alamos is reported, according to the version made by Anthony P French. Here, the fundamental physical phenomena are described very clearly and comprehensively, giving the appropriate physics grounds for the functioning of nuclear piles. In the second part, all the patents issued by Fermi (and coworkers) on the functioning, construction and operation of several different kinds of nuclear reactors are reported. Here, the main engineering problems are encountered and solved by employing simple and practical methods, which are described in detail. This seminal work mainly caters to students, teachers and researchers working in nuclear physics and engineering, but it is of invaluable interest to historians of physics too, since the material presented here is entirely novel.

This book is based upon a series of lectures I have occasionally given at the University of Gottingen since 1951. They were meant to introduce the students of experimental physics to the work in a neutron physics laboratory dealing with the problem of measuring neutron flux, diffusion length, Fermi age, effective neutron temperature, absorption cross sections and similar problems. Moreover, these lectures were intended to prepare the students for a subsequent lecture covering the physics of nuclear reactors. The original character of this series of lectures has been retained in the book. It is intended for use by students as well as anyone desiring to work on neutron physics measurements. The first half mainly covers the theory of neutron fields, i. e. essentially diffusion and slowing down theory. The second half is largely concerned with measurements in neutron fields. The appendix contains information and data which, in our experience, are frequently required in a neutron laboratory. The field of nuclear physics proper is briefly touched upon in the first two chapters, but only to the extent necessary for the understanding of the following chapters. The multitude of applications of neutron radiation has not been covered. The conclusion of this manuscript coincided with the end of my long period of activity with the Max-Planck-Institut fur Physik at Gottingen. To Professor HEISENBERG lowe thanks for his advice and suggestions for many of the subjects treated here.

These proceedings focus on contemporary fast neutron physics and include the recent progress and new achievements in fast neutron scattering, energy spectrum, nuclear fission, γ-ray spectroscopy and (n,γ) reaction mechanism, nuclear theory, activation cross sections, nuclear reactions and intermediate energy neutron physics.