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The slowing down and thermalization of neutrons
NUCLEAR
INSTRUMENTS
AND METHODS
44 (I966) I79-I80; BOOK
© NORTH-HOLLAND
PUBLISHING
CO.
REVIEWS
M. M. R. Wn.LIAMS, The slowing down and thermalization of neutrons (North-Holland Publishing Co., Amsterdam, 1966)
This volume further contains extensive articles on Photoconductivity (1". S. Moss), Thermomagnetic effects in semipp. 582; $16.80. conductors and semimetals (R. T. Delves), Some effects of point The central problem of reactor physics is to determine how defects on the vibrations of crystal lattices (A. A. Maradudin), the neutrons are distributed in space and energy in a reactor. Solid-state polymerization induced by radiation (A. Charlesby), The present book has an important bearing upon this problem. The equation of state of dense systems (J. S. Rowlinson), QuanIt gives an account of the theory for the complicated process when tum theory of many-body systems (N. M. FIugenholtz) and Colfast neutrons slow down and reach thermal energy, and sums up lective vibrations in nuclei (A. M. Green). Three articles in the the vast amount of work performed, especially during the last volume review recent progress within experimental techniques namely Electron beam spectroscopy (O. Klemperer), The direct decade. The book is divided into two parts. The first, on the thermal observation of imperfections in crystals 03. W. Pashley) and energy region, describes the scattering kernels (both true and X-ray microscopy (V. E. Cosslett). During the last years the discovery of two different neutrinos synthetic) for various moderators, and neutron thermalization in infinite and finite media. A special chapter is devoted to the associated with the decay of the electron and the muon and the spatial dependence of the energy spectrum close to boundaries, search for the intermediate boson in weak interaction has and in another some methods for reactor cell calculations are attracted much interest. The present state of neutrinophysics is discussed. The second part treats the " p r o p e r " slowing down of reviewed in a short but very informative article by M. Schwartz. neutrons, i.e. the energy region where the neutrons cannot gain In a historical survey he gives the background to the present energy in the collisions. Most of this part refers to the space- situation. The current neutrino experiments at CERN and independent case, but the more complicated problems where the Brookhaven are discussed and the experimental improvements, space coordinates come in are also treated in large detail. involving among other things development of devices which will Finally, some special formulae and derivations are given in six increase the neutrinoflux considerably compared to previously available neutrinobeams, are descihed. The last part of the article appendices. The author approaches the subject in an academic manner. contains an outlook for future neutrinophysics. He points out Hence, the mathematical treatment is analytical, even though a the possibilities that open up when machines with still higher few completely numerical methods are also described. Many energy are available, which apart from a study of the intermediate sections are directly related to experiments, both of the stationary boson, if it is found, among other things also includes the search and the pulsed type. The book is written in a very clear style and for heavy leptons. Another developing research field is reviewed in Astrogives an accurate and up-to-date summing up of the field. Many obscure points are elucidated, and the author frequently remarks physical neutrinos, by M. A. Ruderman. The observational data about areas where further work is needed. In all, the book is a within this branch of astrophysics are of course at present limited. stimulating reading for anybody interested in slowing down and It is however interesting to note that even the now available thermalization of neutrons. N.G. SJ~3TRAND upper limits of the neutrinoflux from the sun gives some information concerning the temperature at its centre. In this article H. A. B E ~ and P. MORRISON, Elementary nuclear physics (John Ruderman points out that the study of astrophysical neutrinos will elucidate not only cosmological problems but that informaWiley and Sons Ltd.) pp. 274; 14 sh. The second edition of this book, which was originally published tion may also be gained about the properties of the neutrino itself. in 1956, has now been reprinted as a science edition in paper back. J. LINDSKOG As the book has not been revised since 1956 the development of nuclear physics during the last ten years is not covered by this D. BLANC, Les radiodldments (Masson et Cie, Paris, 1966) pp. 288; volume. 59 F. In this book the emphasis is placed on nuclear forces. It is The use of radioisotopes is nowadays very valuable for people divided in three parts. The fast part gives a descriptive theory of of many different professions and in many cases radioisotopes nuclei. The main part of the book treats the theory o f nuclear forces from a more quantitative point of view. In the third part have to be used by people who have very little knowledge of of the book nuclear models and nuclear reactions are treated. nuclear physics. It is therefore very good that books appear in This part also contains a chapter about beta decay based on different languages giving the necessary background for the use Ferret's theory. The development of this field which followed the of the radioisotopes. Les radio616ments is a book suitable for discovery of the nonconservation of parity in weak interactions those who use or intend to use radioisotopes in their work even if is of course not described here. J. taNDSKOG their knowledge of nuclear physics is rather small. The book is divided in five chief parts. In the first part a quite extensive review of the nomenclature and the necessary backReports on Progress in Physics, Vol. 28 (Published by the Institute ground of nuclear physics is given. The production of radioof Physics and the Physical Society, London, 1965) pp. 518 ; £ 6. isotopes is briefly discussed in part two which also includes a list Reports on Progress in Physics 1965 contains thirteen articles of available radioisotopes. Different detectors for nuclear radiawhich treat problems of current interest in various fields of tion are discussed in part three and part four is devoted to the physics. very important subject of radiation protection. In part five some In the first article Sir Lawrence Bragg describes the fascinating technical and medical applications are discussed. A rather development which after a period of about twentyfive years made comprehensive bibliography for further studies is given at the it possible for Kendrew and Perutz to analyse myoglobine and end of the book. haemoglobine from X-ray data. S.-E. KARLSSON 179
INSTRUMENTS
AND METHODS
44 (I966) I79-I80; BOOK
© NORTH-HOLLAND
PUBLISHING
CO.
REVIEWS
M. M. R. Wn.LIAMS, The slowing down and thermalization of neutrons (North-Holland Publishing Co., Amsterdam, 1966)
This volume further contains extensive articles on Photoconductivity (1". S. Moss), Thermomagnetic effects in semipp. 582; $16.80. conductors and semimetals (R. T. Delves), Some effects of point The central problem of reactor physics is to determine how defects on the vibrations of crystal lattices (A. A. Maradudin), the neutrons are distributed in space and energy in a reactor. Solid-state polymerization induced by radiation (A. Charlesby), The present book has an important bearing upon this problem. The equation of state of dense systems (J. S. Rowlinson), QuanIt gives an account of the theory for the complicated process when tum theory of many-body systems (N. M. FIugenholtz) and Colfast neutrons slow down and reach thermal energy, and sums up lective vibrations in nuclei (A. M. Green). Three articles in the the vast amount of work performed, especially during the last volume review recent progress within experimental techniques namely Electron beam spectroscopy (O. Klemperer), The direct decade. The book is divided into two parts. The first, on the thermal observation of imperfections in crystals 03. W. Pashley) and energy region, describes the scattering kernels (both true and X-ray microscopy (V. E. Cosslett). During the last years the discovery of two different neutrinos synthetic) for various moderators, and neutron thermalization in infinite and finite media. A special chapter is devoted to the associated with the decay of the electron and the muon and the spatial dependence of the energy spectrum close to boundaries, search for the intermediate boson in weak interaction has and in another some methods for reactor cell calculations are attracted much interest. The present state of neutrinophysics is discussed. The second part treats the " p r o p e r " slowing down of reviewed in a short but very informative article by M. Schwartz. neutrons, i.e. the energy region where the neutrons cannot gain In a historical survey he gives the background to the present energy in the collisions. Most of this part refers to the space- situation. The current neutrino experiments at CERN and independent case, but the more complicated problems where the Brookhaven are discussed and the experimental improvements, space coordinates come in are also treated in large detail. involving among other things development of devices which will Finally, some special formulae and derivations are given in six increase the neutrinoflux considerably compared to previously available neutrinobeams, are descihed. The last part of the article appendices. The author approaches the subject in an academic manner. contains an outlook for future neutrinophysics. He points out Hence, the mathematical treatment is analytical, even though a the possibilities that open up when machines with still higher few completely numerical methods are also described. Many energy are available, which apart from a study of the intermediate sections are directly related to experiments, both of the stationary boson, if it is found, among other things also includes the search and the pulsed type. The book is written in a very clear style and for heavy leptons. Another developing research field is reviewed in Astrogives an accurate and up-to-date summing up of the field. Many obscure points are elucidated, and the author frequently remarks physical neutrinos, by M. A. Ruderman. The observational data about areas where further work is needed. In all, the book is a within this branch of astrophysics are of course at present limited. stimulating reading for anybody interested in slowing down and It is however interesting to note that even the now available thermalization of neutrons. N.G. SJ~3TRAND upper limits of the neutrinoflux from the sun gives some information concerning the temperature at its centre. In this article H. A. B E ~ and P. MORRISON, Elementary nuclear physics (John Ruderman points out that the study of astrophysical neutrinos will elucidate not only cosmological problems but that informaWiley and Sons Ltd.) pp. 274; 14 sh. The second edition of this book, which was originally published tion may also be gained about the properties of the neutrino itself. in 1956, has now been reprinted as a science edition in paper back. J. LINDSKOG As the book has not been revised since 1956 the development of nuclear physics during the last ten years is not covered by this D. BLANC, Les radiodldments (Masson et Cie, Paris, 1966) pp. 288; volume. 59 F. In this book the emphasis is placed on nuclear forces. It is The use of radioisotopes is nowadays very valuable for people divided in three parts. The fast part gives a descriptive theory of of many different professions and in many cases radioisotopes nuclei. The main part of the book treats the theory o f nuclear forces from a more quantitative point of view. In the third part have to be used by people who have very little knowledge of of the book nuclear models and nuclear reactions are treated. nuclear physics. It is therefore very good that books appear in This part also contains a chapter about beta decay based on different languages giving the necessary background for the use Ferret's theory. The development of this field which followed the of the radioisotopes. Les radio616ments is a book suitable for discovery of the nonconservation of parity in weak interactions those who use or intend to use radioisotopes in their work even if is of course not described here. J. taNDSKOG their knowledge of nuclear physics is rather small. The book is divided in five chief parts. In the first part a quite extensive review of the nomenclature and the necessary backReports on Progress in Physics, Vol. 28 (Published by the Institute ground of nuclear physics is given. The production of radioof Physics and the Physical Society, London, 1965) pp. 518 ; £ 6. isotopes is briefly discussed in part two which also includes a list Reports on Progress in Physics 1965 contains thirteen articles of available radioisotopes. Different detectors for nuclear radiawhich treat problems of current interest in various fields of tion are discussed in part three and part four is devoted to the physics. very important subject of radiation protection. In part five some In the first article Sir Lawrence Bragg describes the fascinating technical and medical applications are discussed. A rather development which after a period of about twentyfive years made comprehensive bibliography for further studies is given at the it possible for Kendrew and Perutz to analyse myoglobine and end of the book. haemoglobine from X-ray data. S.-E. KARLSSON 179