Summer 2015: Lecture 11 Uranium and the fuel cycle

This lecture is in two parts. Uranium chemistry is covered in this lecture with an emphasis on separations and synthesis for the nuclear fuel cycle. Uranium is introduced with an overview of its chemistry for the fuel cycle. The solution chemistry of uranium is explored, focusing on uranyl. The molecular orbital of uranium is described. Separation of uranium by solvent extraction and ion exchange is presented. The enrichment of uranium from the uranium hexafluoride species is discussed, including diffusion, centrifuge, and laser methods. Oxide species of uranium are presented. Due to its potential as a nuclear fuel, the synthesis and properties of uranium metal and alloys are described in detail. With three different phase, the uranium metal exhibits more complex electronic behavior than the metals of the lighter actinides, a trend that continues to plutonium metal. 

Summer 2015: Lecture 10 Speciation

This lecture covers fundamentals of chemical kinetics thermodynamics, mainly as a review. Emphasis of the lectures is applied to information useful for speciation modeling. Equilibrium constants are discussed. The role of chemical activity is provided. Calculations and models for speciation are presented. Equilibrium modeling using EXCEL and the program CHESS are presented. Solubility calculations are provides, with examples for the uranium system.

Summer 2015: Lecture 9 Nuclear Reactions

The lecture on nuclear reactions is presented in two parts. Nuclear reaction notation is introduced. The role of energetics in nuclear reactions is discussed and evaluated, including Q value, reaction barriers, and threshold energy. Center of mass and laboratory frames are discussed. The different processes involved in the formation of isotopes is provided including photonuclear processes. Reaction energetics, mechanisms and types are described. Nuclear reaction cross sections are described, with a presentation on values and limits given. This includes role of angular momentum in cross section values. The stellar production of elements is presented in terms of nuclear reactions. These provide the basis for understanding the formation of isotopes in stars.

Summer 2015: Quiz 2 Beta Decay, Gamma Decay, Fission, and Nuclear Models

Quiz 2 is posted.  The quiz covers:

Lecture 5:  Beta Decay

Lecture 6:  Gamma Decay

Lecture 7:  Fission

Lecture 8:  Nuclear Models

Use lecture notes, textbooks, Chart of the Nuclides, Table of the Isotopes, and web pages.   Show your work or reference and send in as a separate document.  Quiz 2 is assigned on 26-Jun-15. The 1st due date is 1-Jul-15.  The 2nd submission date 6-Jul-15.  Please post any questions to the blog.

Summer 2015: Lecture 8 Nuclear Force and Nuclear Models

This lecture provides information on nuclear force and nuclear models. The strong force is introduced through isospin. A comparison of exchange particles is provided. The use of mirror nuclei to examine the strong force is presented. An overview of nuclear potentials is provided and used as a basis of the shell model. States of the shell model and their relationship to magic numbers are discussed. Use of the shell model is determine nuclide spin and parity is presented. From the shell model the unpaired nucleon is used to assess overall nuclear spin. Examples are provided for nuclei with one or two unpaired nucleons. Nordheim rules are used to evaluation spin and parity with odd-odd nuclei. The relationship between spin and parity with nuclear deformation is introduced with Nilsson diagrams. Additional information on Nilsson diagrams can be found in the Table of the Isotopes. An introduction of the Fermi model for energetic nuclei is given. 

Summer 2015: Lecture 7 Fission

A general overview of nuclear fission is presented. The probability of fission is described based on developed models including the liquid drop model and shell corrections. Discussion on spontaneous fission and fissioning isomers is given. The transition nucleus and fission product distributions are discussed. The total kinetic energy, mass distribution, and charge distribution during fission are presented. Changes in fission product distribution with parent properties are introduced. Delayed neutrons from fission and their role in reactors are given. Proton induced fission is introduced.

Summer 2015: Lecture 6 Gamma Decay

Gamma decay is described in this lecture. The energetics involved in gamma decay are provided. Decay types in gamma transitions are explained, inclusion those that do not occur by photon emission. Transition probabilities and internal conversions inherent to gamma decay are covered. Links to find transition probabilities are provided. Electronic and magnetic multiple transitions are discussed. Angular correlations in gamma decay are described. The use of gamma decay in Moessbauer spectroscopy is presented.