Nuclear Technology Devices

Course guarantor:

Tomáš Čechák

Lecturer:

Kamil Augsten, Tomáš Čechák

Tutor:

Supervisor:

Department of Dosimetry and Application of Ionizing Radiation

Synopsis:

The course introduces students to the fundamentals of nuclear energy and particle accelerators.

In the introductory part, the scheme of a nuclear reactor and a nuclear power plant is explained in detail, including the principle of the fission chain reaction and the function of the main components of a power reactor. The most important types of reactors used in energy production and research are discussed, together with their design and operational differences, safety aspects, and nuclear fuel management. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of using nuclear facilities for energy generation.

The second part of the course provides an introduction to particle accelerators. Students will learn about the basic principles of ion sources and the main types of linear and circular accelerators. Special attention is devoted to practical applications of accelerators in medicine (e.g. radiotherapy, diagnostics) and industry (e.g. material analysis, sterilization), as well as to their role in fundamental research.

Requirements:

The course is completed by an oral examination, divided into two parts corresponding to the main thematic areas: nuclear energy facilities and particle accelerators.

Syllabus of lectures:

1. Nuclear energy in the world, classification of reactors used in nuclear power plants

2. Basic scheme of a nuclear reactor, chain reaction

3. Radionuclides produced in a nuclear reactor

4. Factors affecting reactivity, fuel cycle

5. Spent nuclear fuel

6. Monitoring fields in nuclear power plants, impact of nuclear power plants on the environment

7. Prospects of nuclear energy

8. Classification of accelerators and ion sources

9. Linear accelerators

10. Circular accelerators

11. Cyclotrons

12. Applications of accelerators medicine, engineering, synchrotron radiation, and basic research

13. Technology and safety in accelerators

Syllabus of tutorials:

Study Objective:

Knowledge:

The student will acquire an overview of the principles and types of nuclear reactors, the nuclear fuel cycle, and methods of reactor control, including the basics of radiation protection in nuclear energy. Furthermore, the student will become familiar with the principles and classification of particle accelerators and with their main areas of application in practice and research.

Skills:

The student will be able to describe the function and structure of a nuclear reactor and a nuclear power plant, explain the working principles of different types of accelerators, and identify their applications in medicine, industry, and fundamental research. The student will also be capable of applying knowledge of reactor control and radiation protection principles in the context of their operation and critically evaluating the benefits and limitations of nuclear facilities and particle accelerators.

Study materials:

Key references:

[1] L. Sklenka: Provozní reaktorová technika, ČVUT 2001

[2] S. Humphries, Jr., Principles of Charged Particle Acceleration, Dover Publications 2012.

[3] E. Wilson, An Introduction to Particle Accelerators, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2010.

Recommended references:

[4] F. Click, J. Daliba, Nuclear Energy, Technical University 2002

Teaching aids:

Carny, P., The EU Este, User Guide, Trnava 2008

Note:

Further information:

https://moodle-vyuka.cvut.cz/course/view.php?id=14050

Time-table for winter semester 2025/2026:

Time-table is not available yet

Time-table for summer semester 2025/2026:

Time-table is not available yet

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• Fyzika plazmatu a termojaderné fúze (elective course)