On completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate a knowledge of fundamental aspects of the structure of the nucleus, radioactive decay, nuclear reactions and the interaction of radiation and matter;
2. discuss nuclear and radiation physics connection with other physics disciplines – solid state, elementary particle physics, radiochemistry, astronomy;
3. discuss nuclear and radiation physics applications in medical diagnostics and therapy, energetics, geology, archaeology;
4. describe experimental techniques used (or developed) for nuclear physics purposes (logic circuits, gamma cameras, semiconductor detectors) and discuss their influence on development of new technologies
5. explore an application of nuclear and/or radiation physics and communicate their understanding to a group of their peers in a short presentation.

• Williams, W.S.C., Nuclear and Particle Physics, Oxford University Press, 1991
• Johns, H. E. and J. R. Cunningham, The Physics of Radiology, 4th Edition, CC Thomas: Springfield, 1983

• Lederer CM and V. S. Shirley, Table of Isotopes, 7th Edition, Wiley, 1978
• Burcham WE, and M. Jobes, Nuclear and Particle Physics”, Longman, 1995
• Leo W. R., Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments”, Springer-Verlag, 1994
• Khan F. M. and A. R. Potish., The Physics of Radiation Therapy, 3rd Edition, Williams and Wilkins, 2003

MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).

This course is delivered by the following means:

• Workshops 12 x 2-hour sessions with one session per week

A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

• Nuclear Physics (50%)
  • General properties of nuclei
  • Stability, systematics, trans-uranic elements
  • Nuclear models, magic numbers
  • Decay processes and half lives: fission,  and  decay, electron capture
  • Radioactive growth and decay, Bateman equations, laboratory generators
  • Radioactive series
  • Natural and artificial radioactivity, environmental problems, eg, radon, mining and waste disposal,
  • Radioisotope production
  • Carbon dating, Accelerator Mass Spectrometry
  • Theory of  and  decay, selection rules
  • Theory of nuclear reactions
  • Interactions of neutrons with matter, neutron activation
  • Applications of nuclear techniques (medical and solid state physics)
• Radiation Physics (50%)
  • General Properties of X-rays
  • Generation of high energy Photons: X-ray apparatus, accelerators
  • Tubes for imaging and therapy
  • Fluorescent radiation, PIXE, monitoring bone lead levels
  • Radiation measurements and units
  • Interaction of Photons with Matter: photoelectric effect, Compton effect and pair production, Auger effect, Coherent (Rayleigh) scattering
  • Energy transfer and deposition (absorption), build-up and KERMA
  • Charged Particle Energy Losses
  • Linear energy transfer (LET), stopping cross section, Bethe-Bloch formula
  • Electron collision and radiation losses
  • High-energy electron-photon showers, cosmic rays

Examination

The end-of-semester examination will be based primarily on lecture/tutorial material.

If there are no more regular practical sessions available which correspond to your missed practical, you will need to attend the end of semester catch-up practical sessions. There is a single catch-up session held at the end of the semester where you will have an opportunity to catch up just one missed practical session.

Presentation

Students are expected to attend at least one of the presentation sessions.

Tutorials

Tutorials will be held weekly.

Absence from Classes due to illness (or other valid reason)

If you miss a laboratory session or are unable to attend a tutorial due to illness (or any other valid reason) you will need to fill out a form within 3 working days of your missed session. All forms are available from the School Office or on MyUNI.

Submission of Assigned Work

Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Coversheets can be obtained from the School Office (room G33 Physics) or from MyUNI. Work should be submitted via the assignment drop box at the School Office.

Late submission of assessments

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.