This lecture is dedicated to Master students of mechanical engineering and other engineering studies. Goal of the lecture is the understanding of reactor technology and of the major physical processes in converting nuclear power into electrical energy. The students acquire comprehensive knowledge on the physics of nuclear fission reactors: neutron flux, cross sections, fission, breeding processes, chain reaction, critical size of a nuclear system, moderation, reactor dynamics, transport- and diffusion-equation for the neutron flux distribution, power density distributions in reactor, one-group, two-group and multi-group theories for the neutron spectrum. Students are able to analyze and understand the obtained results. The students are capable of understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different reactor technologies - LWR, heavy water reactors, nuclear power systems of generation IV -by using the delivered knowledge on reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, reactor design, control, safety and requirements of the front-end and back-end of the fuel cycle. The students are qualified for further training in nuclear energy and safety field and for (also research-related) professional activity in the nuclear industry.

• nuclear fission & fusion,
• radioactive decay, neutron excess, fission, fast and thermal neutrons, fissile and fertile nuclei, enrichment, neutron flux, cross section, reaction rate, mean free path,
• chain reaction, critical size, moderation,
• reactor dynamics,
• transport- and diffusion-equation for the neutron flux distribution,
• power distributions in reactor,
• one-group and two-group theories,
• light-water reactors,
• reactor safety,
• design of nuclear reactors,
• breeding processes,
• nuclear power systems of generation IV