Applied Nuclear Physics [antikvár]

Preface The first edition of this bools appeared in 1942, during the early days of World War II. As we look backward, the phrase "applied nuclear physics" seems more of a chauvinistic liope than an accomplished reality. Yet, even as the pages came from the presses, Fermi and his cohorts were busy in Chicago fashioning that historic structure of graphite and uranium which was to herald the birth of the atomic age and broaden tremendously the potential applications of nuclear science. Thus the same act that gave muscle and sinew to applied nuclear physics—the concept—signaled obsolescence for our book bearing the same name. The present edition represents an effort on our part to remedy this situation. A new chapter on nuclear chain reactions has been added. Special sections have been devoted to pile theory, neutron diffraction, cross sections, and cosmic rays. Also included for the first time are detailed instructions to guide the reader who may wish to perform a number of informative laboratory experiments in nuclear physics. The tables of nuclear data have been brought up to date. Much of the subject matter common to both editions has been rewritten and expanded in the light of advances of the past eight years. In a field of science receiving as much attention as is being accorded nuclear physics today it is inevitable that the tempo of progress will be rapid and ever forward. However, it is our modest hope that the ensuing pages give a reasonably balanced and accurate picture of nuclear science and technology as they exist today—1950. The reader may question the preceding statement in view of the absence of discussions relating to atomic weapons. Atomic bombs, thermonuclear reactions leading to an hydrogen bomb, and radiological warfare are scarcely mentioned. Two reasons account for these omissions. In the first place, security regulations would prevent our discussing these subjects in other than general, speculative, and watered-down terms. A second and more insistent rationale prompts us to omit these items. Thus far, the utilization of atomic energy for