Nuclear Reactor Physics and Radiation Measurement Laboratory

Academic unit or major

Graduate major in Nuclear Engineering

Instructor(s)

Toru Obara / Yoshiyuki Oguri / Tatsuya Katabuchi / Yoshinao Kobayashi / Chikako Ishizuka / Jun Nishiyama

Class Format

Experiment

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

5-8 Thu (原講571, North Bidg. 2, 5F-571)

Class

-

Course Code

NCL.N410

Number of credits

002

Course offered

2020

Offered quarter

2Q

Syllabus updated

Jul 10, 2025

Language

English

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

The analysis of reactor physics experiments will be performed based on the experimental data at Kyoto University Critical Assembly (KUCA). The analysis for the criticality experiments, control rods calibration experiment and neutron flux measurement using light water moderated core will be performed.
The radiation measurement laboratory, which is held at Ookayama compus as a two-day intensive course during the summer break, offers an opportunity to learn technologies of radiation detectors and related equipment.

This class aims to deepen the understanding of them by the experiments and training.
The radiation measurement laboratory mainly aims at the understanding of operating principles and practical techniques of gamma-ray spectrometry.

Course description and aims

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Explain the principles of the experiments such as criticality approach, control rod worth measurement.
2. Perform critical calculations using group constants
3. Explain the theory of reactor kinetic calculation
4. Explain operating principles of ionizing radiation detectors based on radiation-matter interaction
5. Explain the principle of radiation spectrometry based on multichannel pulse height analyzer systems
6. Perform absolute measurement of radioactivity using scintillation gamma-ray detectors
7. Perform identification of radionuclides by gamma-ray spectroscopy using germanium semiconductor detectors

Keywords

Reactor physics, Criticality approach, criticality calculation, reactor kinetics
Radiation-matter interaction, Scintillation detector, Germanium semiconductor detector, Multichannel pulse-height analyzer, Energy spectrum

Competencies

• Specialist skills
• Intercultural skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

The lectures are provided before the analysis for the well understanding of the experiments. In the lectures, the outline of experimental apparatus, the principal of experiment, and the analysis method are explained. Students are requested to perform the analysis based on the experimental data provided and to submit the reports.
For radiation measurement experiments, instead of a lab report, a written exam is required.

Course schedule/Objectives

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 50 minutes preparing for class and another 50 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

Tsuyosi Misawa, Hironobu Unesaki, Cheolho Pyen, ”Nuclear Reactor Physics Experiments”, Kyoto University Press (2010).

Reference books, course materials, etc.

John R. Lamarsh, “Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory”, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc. (1965).
James J. Duderstadt, Louis J. Hamilton, “Nuclear Reactor Analysis”, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1976).
George I. Bell, Samuel Glasstone, “Nuclear Reactor Theory”, Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co., Inc. (1970).
Samuel Glasstone, Alexander Sesonske, "Nuclear Reactor Engineering", Chapman & Hall, Inc. (1994).
Weston M. Stacey, “Nuclear Reactor Physics”, WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA (2004).
Raymond L. Murray and Keith E. Holbert, "Nuclear Energy: An Introduction to The Concepts, Systems and Application of Nuclear Processes Seventh Edition", Elsevier Ltd. (2013).
E.E. Lewis, “Fundamentals of Nuclear Reactor Physics”, Academic Press (2008). (PDF file of the book can be downloaded from Tokyo Tech library.
Glenn F. Knoll, "Radiation Detection and Measurement", Wiley, ISBN-13:978-0470131480 (2010).

Evaluation methods and criteria

Students are assessed by the understanding of fundamentals of neutron transport theory and nuclear reactor theory.
Analysis report: 70%.
Grade of radiation measurement laboratory is evaluated from the students’ understanding of the principles and practical techniques of radiation measurement, based on lab participation (15%) and a final written exam (15%).

Related courses

• NCL.N402 ： Nuclear Reactor Theory I
• NCL.N406 ： Nuclear Reactor Theory II
• NCL.N401 ： Basic Nuclear Physics

Prerequisites

It is needed to have fundamental knowledge of Nuclear Reactor Theory I and Nuclear Reactor Theory II.
For radiation measurement Laboratory, it is desirable that students have some initial background knowledge on atomic physics.

Office hours

Prior appointment by e-mail is necessary.