Nuclear cross sections for nuclear energy

AUG 01, 1976

Nuclear physicists, who have already saved taxpayers millions of dollars in development costs, are now gathering data to improve safety and efficiency of commercial reactors and test the feasibility of fusion plants.

DOI: 10.1063/1.3023613

Joseph L. Fowler

William W. Havens

What is the role of nuclear physics in helping to overcome the present energy problem? With over 200 000 megawatts of capacity already either operational, under construction or on order in the United States, nuclear power unquestionably constitutes one of today’s major energy options. In this article we shall consider the research in nuclear physics needed to improve the efficiency and safety of light‐water reactors, which make up most of this generating capacity. For the economically promising breeder‐reactor programs, both of the fast‐neutron and thermal‐neutron types, we shall discuss the challenges these present to nuclear physics. The recent International Conference on Nuclear Cross Sections and Technology (see the Bibliography) emphasized the continuing impact of nuclear physics on energy.

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References

1. Proceedings of the International Conference on Nuclear Cross Sections and Technology, NBS Special Publication No. 425 (R. A. Schrack, C. D. Bowman, eds.), US National Bureau of Standards, Washington (1975).
2. Physics and the Energy Problem: Proceedings of the Topical Conference on Energy (M. D. Fiske, W. W. Havens Jr, eds.), The American Physical Society, New York (1974).
3. F. L. Vook, PHYSICS TODAY, Sept. 1975, page 34.
4. Reactor Safety Study: An Assessment of Accident Risks in US Commercial Nuclear Power Plants (N. Rasmussen, director), US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington (1975).
5. A. M. Perry, A. M. Weinberg, Ann. Rev. Nucl. Sci. 22, 317 (1972).https://doi.org/ARNUA8
6. R. G. AlsmillerJr, R. T. Santoro, J. Barish, T. A. Gabriel, Nucl. Sci. Eng. 57, 122 (1975).https://doi.org/NSENAO
7. R. Booth, H. H. Barschall, Nucl. Instr. Meth. 99, 1 (1972).https://doi.org/NUIMAL
8. Proceedings of the International Conference on Radiation Test Facilities for the CTR Surface and Materials Program, Argonne National Laboratory Report ANL/CTR‐75‐4 (1975).

More about the Authors

Joseph L. Fowler. Oak Ridge National Laboratory and University of Tennessee.

William W. Havens. Columbia University.