Introductory Nuclear Physics

## PREFACE This work began as a collaborative attempt with David Halliday to revise and update the second edition of his classic text Introductory Nuclear Physics (New York: Wiley, 1955). As the project evolved, it became clear that, owing to other commitments, Professor Halliday would be able to devote only limited time to the project and he therefore volunteered to remove himself from active participation, a proposal to which I reluctantly and regretfully agreed. He was kind enough to sign over to me the rights to use the material from the previous edition. I first encountered Halliday's text as an undergraduate physics major, and it was perhaps my first real introduction to nuclear physics. I recall being impressed by its clarity and its readability, and in preparing this new version, I have tried to preserve these elements, which are among the strengths of the previous work. Audience This text is written primarily for an undergraduate audience, but could be used in introductory graduate surveys of nuclear physics as well. It can be used specifically for physics majors as part of a survey of modern physics, but could (with an appropriate selection of material) serve as an introductory course for other areas of nuclear science and technology, including nuclear chemistry, nuclear engineering, radiation biology, and nuclear medicine. Background It is expected that students have a previous background in quantum physics, either at the introductory level [such as the author's text Modern Physics (New York: Wiley, 1983)] or at a more advanced, but still undergraduate level. (A brief summary of the needed quantum background is given in Chapter 2.) The text is therefore designed in a " two-track" mode, so that the material that requires the advanced work in quantum mechanics, for instance, transition probabilities or matrix elements, can be separated from the rest of the text by skipping those sections that require such a background. This can be done without interrupting the logical flow of the discussion. Mathematical background at the level of differential equations should be sufficient for most applications. Emphasis There are two features that distinguish the present book. The first is the emphasis on breadth. The presentation of a broad selection of material permits the instructor to tailor a curriculum to meet the needs of any particular V vi PREFACE viii PREFACE Each chapter in this textbook is followed with a list of references for further reading, where more detailed or extensive treatments can be found. Included in the lists are review papers as well as popular-level books and articles. Several of the end-of-chapter problems require use of systematic tabulations of nuclear properties, for which the student should have ready access to the current edition of the Table of Isotopes or to a complete collection of the Nuclear Data Sheets.

This comprehensive text provides an introduction to basic nuclear physics, including nuclear decays and reactions and nuclear structure, while covering the essential areas of basic research and practical applications. Its emphasis on phenomonology and the results of real experiments distinguish this from all other texts available. Discussions of theory are reinforced with examples which illustrate and apply the theoretical formulism, thus aiding students in their reading and analysis of current literature. The text is designed to provide a core of material for students with minimal background in mathematics or quantum theory and offers more sophisticated material in separate sections.

This comprehensive text provides an introduction to basic nuclear physics, including nuclear decays and reactions and nuclear structure, while covering the essential areas of basic research and practical applications. Its emphasis on phenomonology and the results of real experiments distinguish this from all other texts available. Discussions of theory are reinforced with examples which illustrate and apply the theoretical formalism, thus aiding students in their reading and analysis of current literature. The text is designed to provide a core of material for students with minimal background in mathematics or quantum theory and offers more sophisticated material in separate sections.