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2017　Advanced Special Lectures in Physics XV

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Academic unit or major
Graduate major in Physics
Instructor(s)
Tostevin Jeffrey Allan 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Intensive ()  
Group
-
Course number
PHY.P644
Credits
1
Academic year
2017
Offered quarter
4Q
Syllabus updated
2017/12/18
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
English
Access Index

Course description and aims

The course will introduce the theoretical ideas used to describe the　scattering and reactions of atomic nuclei, from astrophysical toward intermediate energies. Formal aspects of scattering and reaction
theory will be reviewed, illustrated using topical applications. Topics covered will include the R-matrix methodology, the optical model, first-order (such as DWBA), coupled channels and semi-classical theory approaches. The course focusses on the physical concepts and approximations used to allow practical predictions of nuclear reactions, taught at a Masters level. Applications are used that are simple but realistic enough to allow students to develop a confidence in how to use the
concepts and models to estimate reaction outcomes.

Student learning outcomes

The course should, through discussion of formal methods and applications, allow experimenters and theorists to gain necessary background knowledge and practical experience of the use of direct reaction methods. The course aims to develop: (i) background knowledge, and (ii) confidence in making judgments on the selection of appropriate models and physical parameters to solve (approximately) selected many-body reaction problems.

Keywords

Nuclear scattering; nuclear reactions; direct reactions; R-matrix, first-order and higher-order reaction mechanisms, methods and applications.

Competencies that will be developed

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

Class flow

Instruction will be given by Professor Jeffrey Tostevin (Visiting Professor), in the English language. Students will have an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the course materials using selected computational examples/assignments if they wish.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Introduction and overview: Review of essential scattering theory and nuclear physics background. General aspects of nuclear reactions with energy and nuclear structure overview. Shown in the class
Class 2 Quantum mechanical results: Solution of bound and continuum effective two-body problems for use in direct reactions. Shown in the class
Class 3 Reactions at low energy, the calculational and phenomenological R-matrix methodologies. Applications to astrophysical systems. Shown in the class
Class 4 Semi-classical methods: time-dependent approaches, collective and Coulomb excitation. Distorted wave ideas. Shown in the class
Class 5 Transfer reactions: First order and higher order approximations and methods. DWBA, adiabatic coupled channels methods, breakup effects Shown in the class
Class 6 Higher energy methods: eikonal methods and the optical limit for collisions of composite nuclei, removal reactions Shown in the class
Class 7 Spectroscopic applications and connections to nuclear structure. Shown in the class

Textbook(s)

No single textbook will be followed. Reference materials are provided below.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

any of the course topics are covered more completely in the online
materials for the TALENT (Training in Advanced Low Energy Nuclear
Theory) Course #6, available at:
http://www.nucleartheory.net/Talent_6_Course/

The following texts are valuable for a deeper appreciation of the
theoretical basis of the course material and scattering theory:
More introductory reading:
1. Introduction to the Quantum Theory of Scattering (Academic, Pure
and Applied Physics, Vol 26, 398 pages) L S Rodberg, R M Thaler
2. Introduction to Nuclear Reactions, G R Satchler
(Oxford University Press, 332 pages)
3. Introduction to Nuclear Reactions C A Bertulani, P Danielewicz
(Taylor & Francis, Graduate Student Series in Physics, 515 pages )
4. Nuclear Reactions for Astrophysics: Principles, Calculation and
Applications of Low-Energy Reactions, Ian J. Thompson and
Filomena M. Nunes (Cambridge University Press - 31 July 2009)

More advanced/complete texts:
5. Direct Nuclear Reactions by Norman K. Glendenning
(World Scientific Publishing- July 2004)
6. Direct Nuclear Reactions (Oxford University Press, International
Series of Monographs on Physics, 856 pages ) G R Satchler
7. Structure and Reactions of Light Exotic Nuclei, Yasuyuki Suzuki,
Kazuhiro Yabana, Rezso G. Lovas, and Kalman Varga
(CRC Press - 6 Feb 2003)
8. Theory of Nuclear Reactions (Oxford Studies in Nuclear Physics),
P. Fröbrich and R. Lipperheide (Clarendon Press - 4 July 1996)
9. Theoretical Nuclear Physics: Nuclear Reactions (Wiley Classics
Library, 1938 pages ), Herman Feshbach
10. Direct nuclear reaction theories (Wiley, Interscience monographs
and texts in physics and astronomy, v. 25), Norman Austern

Assessment criteria and methods

Assessment will be by attendance, course interactions, and assigned
problems and/or exercises - formal and/or computational exercises
can be aligned to individual student research interests.

Related courses

  • PHY.Q207 ： Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
  • PHY.Q208 ： Quantum Mechanics II
  • PHY.F350 ： Nuclear Physics
  • PHY.F437 ： Advanced Nuclear Physics

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

Quantum Physics

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