[en] This book takes stock on the last knowledge concerning the neutronics, part of the nuclear physique, which studies the neutrons transport in matter and the corresponding reactions. (A.L.B.)

[en] Because of the large number of heavy nuclide resonances a detailed neutron flux calculation in the epithermal range cannot be made by standard nuclear reactor codes: it would need several tens of thousand of energy points. However, by using pre-calculated effective reaction rates only a few tens of groups are sufficient for accurate spectrum and reaction rate calculations, if a consistent formalism is used. Such a formalism was elaborated in the 1970s by M. Livolant and F. Jeanpierre (L.-J.) for the ''one resonant nuclide - one resonant zone'' problem, and was implemented in the APOLLO code. In practical cases there are several resonant nuclides and often resonant zones of different characteristics, e.g. a lattice constituted with different kinds of pins, a lattice with irregular ''water-holes'', a fuel element with temperature (therefore Doppler effect) gradients,... Since these problem cannot be correctly treated by APOLLO, a generalization of the formalism was derived. The basic principles were retained, and our aim was to construct an algorithm which would not require too expensive calculations. After a brief recall of the L.-J. theory, equations for the most general case are presented, some approximations for practical calculations proposed, and numerical tests on significant examples commented

No abstract available

[en] Starting from a precise analysis of the Chernobyl accident and of its consequences, this book follows with a general analysis of: the present day worldwide energy context and of its projections, the physical and technical aspects of nuclear energy, the place it can share with the other energy sources and its perspectives of development. Content: Introduction; man and energy; nuclear energy; RBMK-type reactors; the Chernobyl accident; the nuclear energy renaissance; conclusion. (J.S.)

[en] After some recalls on the physics of neutron resonance absorption during their slowing down, this paper presents the main features of the theoretical developments performed by the french school of reactor physics: the effective reaction rate method so called Livolant-Jeanpierre theory, the generalizations carried out by the author, and the probability table method

[en] Originally just an offshoot of nuclear physics, neutron physics soon became a branch of physics in its own right. It deals with the movement of neutrons in nuclear reactors and all the nuclear reactions they trigger there, particularly the fission of heavy nuclei which starts a chain reaction to produce energy. Neutron Physics covers the whole range of knowledge of this complex science, discussing the basics of neutron physics ad some principles of neutron physics calculations. Because neutron physics is the essential part of reactor physics, it is the main subject taught to students of Nuclear Engineering. This book takes an instructional approach for that purpose. Neutron Physics is also intended for all physicists and engineers involved in development or operational aspects of nuclear power. (author)

[en] We shall speak about visible or free energy and about hidden or stored energy. Heat is the most degraded form of free energy. The energy is stored in the form of chemistry, petroleum, natural gas, coal and wood. The last storage, the big one is the nuclear energy. It is composed of uranium, thorium and deuterium. Nuclear energy can be considered as a new energy: the fission process was discovered 50 years ago. A nuclear power station lives around the reactor. To understand its principle you must know the particles: the proton which is positive, the neutron which looks like it but has no charge, the electron which is 2000 times lighter than the previous and has a negative charge. How to liberate the stored energy we must look for forces able to work. A nuclear combustion can supply from the same mass of products one million times energy quantity than a chemical combustion. Two ways are possible: the fusion or the fission which breaks a heavy kernel in two smaller. A huge energy quantity is liberated during this fission. The used missiles to generate fissions are simply supplied by the fissions themselves. The different paths differentiate by the chosen principle: to look for or not to slow down the neutrons. Three criteria are distinguished: the fuel, the moderator if necessary (H₂O, D₂O, C) and the coolant. The radioactive kernel decays are characterized by a period T: it's the necessary length so that half of radioactive kernels of the observed species have decayed. There are five decay radioactive modes. The implement means to detect the radiations and protect us against them are called radioprotection. We must also protect us against the contamination hazards. Radioactivity has many positive applications: old object dating, biology tracer, scintigraphy. A chapter is devoted to the nuclear reactor development, the other to the nuclear fuel cycle. The conclusion gives the advantages and the hazards of the nuclear energy. 19 refs

[en] This book is an additional information to the handbook of neutronics. It presents applications and rough estimation useful for theoretical notions. It includes also examinations questionnaires from the last ten years. (A.L.B.)

[en] The basic principle of neutronic calculations is reviewed. The APOLLO code is presented; its qualification and its validation are discussed

No abstract available