Neutrons, Nuclei and Matter: An Exploration of the Physics of Slow Neutrons - Brossura

Byrne, James

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0750303662 ISBN 13: 9780750303668

Casa editrice: CRC Press, 1996

Riassunto

Neutrons, Nuclei and Matter is an encyclopedic work of reference covering almost every conceivable aspect of neutron physics. This is a major compilation of fundamental properties and interactions, detailing both the neutron's role as a major element in tests of the Standard Model of astro-particle physics and its use in nuclear energy generation and the study of condensed matter systems.
* Comprehensible and accessible treatment of all areas of neutron physics
* Overview of the current theoretical and experimental status of the whole of neutron physics
* Comprehensive reference list and bibliography with over 1500 entries summarising important papers on neutron physics
* Comprehensive index, making the book very accessible
The author, inventor of the Penning trap method for determining neutron lifetime, has produced a book that will interest anyone who uses the neutron as a research tool or who attempts to investigate its nature either experimentally or theoretically. Jim Byrne has worked in neutron physics and allied areas for over thirty years and is a world authority in the field.
Books written on neutron physics traditionally fall into two classes. Either they deal mainly with the interactions of neutrons with nuclei, covering subjects such as slow scattering, Breit-Wigner resonance theory, nuclear fission and energy production, or they devote themselves to the applications of neutron scattering in studies of condensed matter and magnetic systems. In both cases, the neutron is viewed as a tool but is not itself the main topic of interest. Neutrons, Nuclei and Matter is different; in particular it includes a detailed treatment of the strong, weak and electromagnetic properties of neutrons, which in recent years have provided major areas of research for the testing of the predictions of the Standard Model of particle physics. Parallel developments in cosmology and astrophysics are also explored.
The book looks at the growth in interest in the wave properties of neutrons following the development of the perfect crystal interferometer, and the way that this instrument has made it possible to demonstrate quantum behaviour very directly.
Around a fifth of the material in Neutrons, Nuclei and Matter is about the generation of nuclear energy from fission and fusion sources, which is treated from an analytical rather than a technological viewpoint. The middle section gives an extended discussion of neutron optics, concluding with a review of the applications of elastic and inelastic neutron scattering in materials technology. The final fifth of the volume is devoted entirely to the fundamental role the neutron plays in today's particle physics, stressing its potential for bringing to light new phenomena beyond the Standard Model.
Everything has been placed in context within science as a whole, with discussion of the origins of different ideas and considerable attention to historical detail.
Neutrons, Nuclei and Matter is a reference work that every physics department and main library should have in its collection.

Su questo libro

Contenuti:

A selection of topics:
The neutron as an elementary particle: The nuclear atom; The constituents of nuclei; Discovery of the neutron; Neutron capture; Mechanical properties of the neutron; Neutron sources; Neutron detection and measurement. Neutron scattering and two-particle interactions: Fundamental interactions of the neutron; Two-particle collisions; Scattering in a central potential; Scattering parameters; Scattering length and effective range; Discrete states of the scattering potential; The neutron-proton system. Neutrons and nuclei: Nuclear stability and binding energy; Nuclear sizes; Nuclear forces; Nuclear isospin; pions. Neutrons and nuclear structures: Models of the nucleus; The nuclear shell model; Simple shell-model tests; The extended shell-model; Collective motion; collective motion and unitary symmetry; Neutron reactions and nuclear structure. Neutrons and nuclear energy: Energetics of nuclear transformation and decay; Nuclear fission; Neutron transport and diffusion; Neutron moderation; The nuclear fission chain reactor; Controlled nuclear fusion. Foundations of neutron optics: Wave-particle duality; The eikonal approximation for neutrons; Neutron propagation in condensed media; Phase relations and superposition of states. Wave phenomena with neutrons: The Huygens-Fresnel principle for neutrons; Neutron diffraction; Neutron interference; Neutron polarization; Neutron spin resonances. The neutron and condensed states of matter: Applied neutron optics; Neutron scattering in condensed systems; The Van Hove theory of space-time correlations; Neutron scattering in magnetic media; Neutron scattering instrumentation. The neutron as a composite system: Strong interactions and flavour SU(3) symmetry; Electromagnetic interactions; Weak interactions. Fundamental processes and the role of the neutron: Parity violation in the nucleus; The Standard Model of quarks and leptons; Quark models of the nucleon; Neutron physics beyond the Standard Model; The neutron in astrophysics and cosmology.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: CRC Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0750303662
• ISBN 13: 9780750303668
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero edizione: 1
• Numero di pagine: 181