Physics of Nuclear Reactors: Fundamentals and Advanced Concepts

This lecture covers the basic principles of nuclear power plants, including nuclear fission, reactor concepts, neutron diffusion, moderation, multigroup theory, lattice physics, neutron kinetics, and advanced technologies like breeding, liquid metal coolants, and fast reactors. It also discusses the history of nuclear power, challenges of breeding, neutron absorption, fission neutron yield, transmutation, and the advantages of fast neutrons for burning actinides. The lecture explores the concepts of neutron balance, conversion ratio, transmutation, radiotoxicity reduction, and full actinide recycling in closed fuel cycles, emphasizing the importance of different reactor designs and coolant properties.