NE 104 - RADIATION DETECTION AND NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTATION LABORATORY (3 units)

Basic science of radiation measurement, nuclear instrumentation, neutronics, radiation dosimetry. Two one-hour lectures per week emphasize the principles of radiation detection. A weekly four-hour laboratory applies a variety of radiation detection systems to the practical measurements of interest for nuclear power, nuclear and non-nuclear science, and environmental applications. (Spring) Vetter

Catalog Description

• 104A. Basic science of radiation measurement, nuclear instrumentation,
  neutronics, radiation dosimetry, applications to nuclear power,
  nuclear and non-nuclear science, biomedicine, environmental science
  and technology, and a variety of other technologies.

Course Prerequisites

• Course in nuclear radiation and reactions: NE-101
  or equivalent or consent of instructor
• Recommended: Course in nuclear reactor theory (NE-150
  or equivalent)

Prerequisite knowledge and/or skills

• The course uses the following knowledge and skills
  from prerequisite and lower-division courses:
• apply basic calculus, including the solution of
  first order differential equations.
• do simple calculations using the radioactive decay
  law.
• be familiar with nuclear decay processes (beta,
  alpha, gamma, and spontaneous fission decay), associated atomic
  processes (internal conversion, X-ray, Auger, internal bremsstrahlung),
  and the general characteristics of the radiations emitted (electrons
  and positrons, alpha particles, gamma rays and X-rays, fission
  fragments, neutrons).
• be familiar with the mechanisms by which high-energy
  radiations interact with matter. Do simple calculations of stopping
  power and range.
• Do simple chemistry and physics calculations involving
  atomic weights, Avogadro�s number, the ideal gas law.

Textbook(s) and/or other required material

• G.F. Knoll, "Radiation Detection and Measurement,"
  Third Ed. John Wiley and Sons (2000).

Course objectives and outcomes

Course Objectives: It is the instructor's
intention to...

• introduce students to various types of detectors used to measure
  high-energy (ionizing) radiations, the electronic systems used
  to count and measure high-energy radiations, and the general properties
  of radiation detection systems.
• based on the characteristic properties of high-energy radiations
  and the science of their interactions with matter, explain the
  mechanisms of radiation detection and derive the resulting properties
  of radiation detectors and measurement systems.
• introduce students to the concept of experimental uncertainty,
  the statistics of radiation counting, error propagation, and the
  analysis of experimental results.
• teach students how to make laboratory measurements, calculate
  or estimate and use experimental uncertainties, and record and
  report laboratory results.
• through laboratory experience and discussion, show students
  how radiation detection systems behave in practice and how they
  can be applied to problems of interest in nuclear science and
  engineering, general science, biomedicine, and environmental science.
  
  

  Course Outcomes: Students must be
  able to...

• explain the characteristics and uses of nuclear detectors and
  calculate their properties (efficiency, energy resolution, time
  resolution, pulse-pair resolution, dead-time). Compare the properties
  of different detectors and select the detector most appropriate
  for a given application. Describe qualitatively and quantitatively
  the result of measuring a specified radiation with a particular
  radiation detector system.
• calculate the uncertainties in nuclear counting experiments
  and utilize the uncertainties in the analysis of experimental
  results.
• perform nuclear counting and spectroscopy experiments, record
  the results in a permanent log, and analyze the results.
• write reports that describe the laboratory experiments concisely,
  present and analyze results, including experimental, calculated,
  and propagated uncertainties, and draw conclusions based on the
  results.
• use radiation detection systems to: (a) measure the system
  characteristics (energy resolution, dead-time, efficiency), (b)
  measure radioactive half-lives, radiation spectra, and radiation
  absorption properties, (c) perform trace-element analysis by neutron
  activation, (d) study a neutron-multiplying (sub-critical) system,
  and (e) measure the neutron flux in several energy ranges in a
  research reactor.
• Do laboratory research together in both informal groups of
  two to four students and organized teams of eight students with
  a designated, rotating leader. Analyze the results of experiments
  and work out answers to assigned problem sets with a combination
  of individual study and exchange of ideas with classmates.
  

Topics covered

• Types and characteristics of detectors for high-energy
  radiations, how they work, and how they are used. Detector types
  include: gas-filled detectors: simple ion chambers, proportional,
  Geiger-Muller counters
• Semiconductor detectors: p-n junction, lithium
  drifted, high-purity germanium
• Scintillation detectors: NaI(Tl), organic
• Electronic systems for radiation detection and
  measurement.
• Nuclear counting statistics, experimental uncertainties,
  uncertainty propogation.
• Dead time.
• Laboratory measurement, uncertainty estimation,
  data recording, analysis, report writing.
• Application of radiation measurement to nuclear
  science and engineering, general science, biomedicine, and environmental
  science.

Class/laboratory schedule

• This is primarily a laboratory course, with one
  four-hour laboratory and two one-hour lectures each week.

Contribution of course to meeting the professional
component

• This course contributes to the students' knowledge
  of radiation detection systems used in nuclear power and in other
  applications.
• Radiation detection and measurement is used to
  monitor normal operations, detect and analyze abnormal conditions,
  and insure safe operation in nuclear power plants and nuclear
  fuel-handling facilities. They are also widely applied to problems
  in basic nuclear science, general science (e.g., the use of radioactive
  tracers in chemistry and biology, the measurement of radioisotopes
  in geology, measurement of ionizing radiation in astronomy), biomedicine
  (e.g., medical imaging), and environmental science (e.g., the
  measurement of man-made and naturally occurring radioactive substances).

Relationship of course to undergraduate degree
program objectives

• This course primarily serves students in the department
  and students with double majors (e.g., nuclear/mechanical engineering).
• This course contributes to the NE program objectives
  by providing a basic understanding of widely used measurement
  techniques and experience in laboratory measurement and the analysis
  of experimental results. It provides sufficient knowledge and
  experience to select a radiation measurement system appropriate
  for a specific application and use it to perform measurements.

Assessment of student progress toward course objectives

• Laboratory reports (7) 50%, final exam 25%, problem
  sets (6) 10%, log books 10%, laboratory participation 5%