ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Nuclear Installations Safety
Devoted specifically to the safety of nuclear installations and the health and safety of the public, this division seeks a better understanding of the role of safety in the design, construction and operation of nuclear installation facilities. The division also promotes engineering and scientific technology advancement associated with the safety of such facilities.
Meeting Spotlight
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jan 2025
Jul 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
February 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
How to talk about nuclear
In your career as a professional in the nuclear community, chances are you will, at some point, be asked (or volunteer) to talk to at least one layperson about the technology you know and love. You might even be asked to present to a whole group of nonnuclear folks, perhaps as a pitch to some company tangential to your company’s business. So, without further ado, let me give you some pointers on the best way to approach this important and surprisingly complicated task.
J. Dorning
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 33 | Number 1 | July 1968 | Pages 65-80
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE68-A20919
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The pulsed-neutron experiment discrete time-decay constants are examined in slab and spherical geometries using a one-term degenerate isotropic scattering kernel. The integral form of the space-, energy-, and time-dependent neutron-transport equation is considered in the proof of four theorems that determine the nature of the decay constants as a function of system size. The theorems are verified by actual calculation of the decay constants for the simpler of the two degenerate-kernel models considered. The spatial eigenfunctions that become flatter as system size is decreased are also computed. The one-velocity problem is solved as a special case. Pulsed-neutron experiment size-dependent extrapolation distances are defined and calculated in such a way as to bring exp (iB · r) theory decay constant results into agreement with those obtained by a more rigorous treatment of the spatial dependence, even for vanishingly small systems. Again, the monoenergetic problem is included as a special case. The variable extrapolation distances approach the Milne problem value as system size is increased. The variation of the extrapolation distance with system dimension is discussed in terms of opposing effects of the thermalization and transport phenomena. Estimates of leakage angular distributions and energy spectra in slabs are calculated from single iterations (performed analytically) on spatial functions synthesized from asymptotic solutions using the size-dependent extrapolation distances. The nature of the singularity in the angular distributions within extremely small systems is investigated. Finally, physical explanations for the changes in the leakage angular distributions and energy spectra (which are diffusion cooled) with slab dimensions are proffered.
