Mathematical Physics for Nuclear Experiments presents an accessible introduction to the mathematical derivations of key equations used in describing and analysing results of typical nuclear physics experiments. Instead of merely showing results and citing texts, crucial equations in nuclear physics such as the Bohr’s classical formula, Bethe’s quantum mechanical formula for energy loss, Poisson, Gaussian and Maxwellian distributions for radioactive decay, and the Fermi function for beta spectrum analysis, among many more, are presented with the mathematical bases of their derivation and with their physical utility. This approach provides readers with a greater connection between the theoretical and experimental sides of nuclear physics. The book also presents connections between well-established results and ongoing research. It also contains figures and tables showing results from the author’s experiments and those of his students to demonstrate experimental outcomes. This is a valuable guide for advanced undergraduates and early graduates studying nuclear instruments and methods, medical and health physics courses as well as experimental particle physics courses. Key features Contains over 500 equations connecting theory with experiments. Presents over 80 examples showing physical intuition and illustrating concepts. Includes 80 exercises, with solutions, showing applications in nuclear and medical physics.

This textbook is a unique and ambitious primer of nuclear physics, which introduces recent theoretical and experimental progresses starting from basics in fundamental quantum mechanics. The highlight is to offer an overview of nuclear structure phenomena relevant to recent key findings such as unstable halo nuclei, superheavy elements, neutron stars, nucleosynthesis, the standard model, lattice quantum chromodynamics (LQCD), and chiral effective theory. An additional attraction is that general properties of nuclei are comprehensively explained from both the theoretical and experimental viewpoints. The book begins with the conceptual and mathematical basics of quantum mechanics, and goes into the main point of nuclear physics – nuclear structure, radioactive ion beam physics, and nuclear reactions. The last chapters devote interdisciplinary topics in association with astrophysics and particle physics. A number of illustrations and exercises with complete solutions are given. Each chapter is comprehensively written starting from fundamentals to gradually reach modern aspects of nuclear physics with the objective to provide an effective description of the cutting edge in the field.

Neutron radiography has in recent years emerged as a useful and complementary technology for radiation diagnosis. It is now routinely used in industrial quality assurance and in support of selected research and developmental activities. Conferences are held on the subject, pertinent handbooks exist, and technical papers appear regularly reporting on new developments. While neutron radiography has indeed passed through the transition from a scientific curiosity to technological relevance, it is a sign of its continuing dynamic evolution that little material has appeared which provides an integrated mathematical and physical analysis of the subject possessing both an instructional as well as reference function. It is our hope that this monograph will fill this need. The distinctiveness of neutron radiography rests on the unique interactions between neutrons and nuclei. This leads to some special relationships between the material and geometrical properties of an object and the neutron radiographic image. The evolution of a technical discipline demands that specific conceptual constructs be developed and their mathematical representations examined and compared with controlled experiments. Experience has convinced us that a particular and substantial body of knowledge has accumulated endowing neutron radiography with the essential foundations of a unique mathematical and physical science. Our scientific and professional involvement in neutron radiography began some 15 years ago when the senior author (A.A.H.) found himself with convenient access to the McMaster University Nuclear Reactor and research support from the Government of Canada.

Study Edition

This book brings together the most important topics in experimental particle physics over the past forty years to give a brief but balanced overview of the subject. The author begins by reviewing particle physics and discussing electromagnetic and nuclear interactions. He then goes on to discuss three nearly universal aspects of particle physics experiments: beams, targets, and fast electronics. The second part of the book treats in detail the properties of various types of particle detector, such as scintillation counters, Cerenkov counters, proportional chambers, drift chambers, sampling calorimeters, and specialized detectors. Wherever possible the author attempts to enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of performance. Finally, he discusses aspects of specific experiments, such as properties of triggers, types of measurement, spectrometers, and the integration of detectors into coherent systems. Throughout the book, each chapter begins with a discussion of the basic principles involved, followed by selective examples.