Tecnologias Nucleares e da Física de Partículas

Objectives

- To understand the basic properties of fundamental interactions, elementary particles and nuclei towards a sufficient understanding of technological applications of the mechanisms of interaction of different types of particles and radiation with matter, both at atomic and nuclear level. - To acquire expertise in the field of particle and radiation detection systems by providing the skills required for the use of integrated data acquisition and processing detection systems, for scientific applications and technological development in various areas such as environment, health, space and new materials. - Develop autonomous work in the development of a project to simulate the interaction of radiation with matter that corresponds to a technological application, using Geant4 based simulation tools.

Syllabus

1. The Discovery of radioactivity, of the nucleus and elementary particles. The fundamental forces and their range 2.Interaction of radiation with matter: photon interactions: photoelectric effect, Compton diffusion, pair production; interactions of charged particles: energy loss due to excitation and ionization, stopping power, range and Bragg's Peak. Radiation energy loss (Brehmstrahlung). Critical energy. Multiple diffusion Cherenkov radiation 3.The nucleus and “nuclear radiation”: The size of the nuclei, the mass of nuclei, binding energy and mass excess. Nuclear stability and nuclear decay. 4. Radioactive Decay: Activity; Production of radioisotopes; radioactive equilibrium 5. Neutrons and Nuclear Reactions: Neutron Classification; The interaction of neutrons with matter; The different types of nuclear reactions 6. Principles of particle and radiation detection: Different types of detectors and their applications; Measurement of position, velocity, charge energy and momentum.

Prerequisites

To achieve the expected learning objectives, students must have prior knowledge of electromagnetism and elementary quantum mechanics.

Cross Competence Component

80% - Critical and innovative thought 20% among intrapersonnal Competence, interpersonnal Competence and Information Literacy.

Programming And Computing Component

The project component has the objective of developping simple models of applications of radiation technologies, using simulation tools based on Geant4 for the simulation of detectors, and applications of technologies from nuclear and particle physics.

Ethical Principles

All members of a group are responsible for the group’s work In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.