Physics of nuclear reactors

Abstract

Reactor physics deals with theoretical and applied investigations with the aim to use the obtained results in nuclear engineering for designing, building and safe operating of nuclear reactors. Among scientific and engineering disciplines, commonly named nuclear technologies, reactor physics is a discipline that directly stems from nuclear sciences and it has not had an analogue base in the standard technologies. The basic studies cover theoretical and experimental determination of static and dynamic parameters of fission systems, burn up of nuclear fuel, investigation of parameters of nuclear engineering materials, prediction of behaviour of fission systems during probable accidents and estimation of their consequences. The basic and roadmap of development in reactor physics and engineering in Serbia during the second half of the 20th century are given in this paper.