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Course 22: Nuclear Science and Engineering |
 | | | 22.00-22.099 plus UROP, UPOP, and ThU | | | 22.101-22.599 | | | 22.60-22.THG | | |  |
Plasmas and Controlled Fusion22.611J Introduction to Plasma Physics I
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(Same subject as 8.613[J]) Prereq: (6.2300 or 8.07) and (18.04 or Coreq: 18.075) Units: 3-0-9 Lecture: TR3-4.30 (NW14-1112) 
Introduces plasma phenomena relevant to energy generation by controlled thermonuclear fusion and to astrophysics. Elementary plasma concepts, plasma characterization. Motion of charged particles in magnetic fields. Coulomb collisions, relaxation times, transport processes. Two-fluid hydrodynamic and MHD descriptions. Plasma confinement by magnetic fields, simple equilibrium and stability analysis. Wave propagation in a magnetic field; application to RF plasma heating. Introduction to kinetic theory; Vlasov, Boltzmann and Fokker-Planck equations; relation of fluid and kinetic descriptions. Electron and ion acoustic plasma waves, Landau damping. G. Tynan Textbooks (Fall 2025) 22.612J Introduction to Plasma Physics II
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(Same subject as 8.614[J]) Prereq: 22.611 Units: 3-0-9
Follow-up to 22.611 provides in-depth coverage of several fundamental topics in plasma physics, selected for their wide relevance and applicability, from fusion to space- and astro-physics. Covers both kinetic and fluid instabilities: two-stream, Weibel, magnetorotational, parametric, ion-temperature-gradient, and pressure-anisotropy-driven instabilities (mirror, firehose). Also covers advanced fluid models, and drift-kinetic and gyrokinetic equations. Special attention to dynamo theory, magnetic reconnection, MHD turbulence, kinetic turbulence, and shocks. N. Gomes Loureiro 22.615 MHD Theory of Fusion Systems
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Prereq: 22.611 Units: 3-0-9
Discussion of MHD equilibria in cylindrical, toroidal, and noncircular configurations. MHD stability theory including the Energy Principle, interchange instability, ballooning modes, second region of stability, and external kink modes. Description of current configurations of fusion interest. S. Henneberg 22.617 Plasma Turbulence and Transport
()Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9
Introduces plasma turbulence and turbulent transport, with a focus on fusion plasmas. Covers theory of mechanisms for turbulence in confined plasmas, fluid and kinetic equations, and linear and nonlinear gyrokinetic equations; transport due to stochastic magnetic fields, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence, and drift wave turbulence; and suppression of turbulence, structure formation, intermittency, and stability thresholds. Emphasis on comparing experiment and theory. Discusses experimental techniques, simulations of plasma turbulence, and predictive turbulence-transport models. Staff 22.62 Fusion Energy
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Prereq: 22.611 Units: 3-0-9
Basic nuclear physics and plasma physics for controlled fusion. Fusion cross sections and consequent conditions required for ignition and energy production. Principles of magnetic and inertial confinement. Description of magnetic confinement devices: tokamaks, stellarators and RFPs, their design and operation. Elementary plasma stability considerations and the limits imposed. Plasma heating by neutral beams and RF. Outline design of the ITER "burning plasma" experiment and a magnetic confinement reactor. G. Tynan 22.63 Engineering Principles for Fusion Reactors
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9 Lecture: TR9.30-11 (NW17-218)
Fusion reactor design considerations: ignition devices, engineering test facilities, and safety/environmental concerns. Magnet principles: resistive and superconducting magnets; cryogenic features. Blanket and first wall design: liquid and solid breeders, heat removal, and structural considerations. Heating devices: radio frequency and neutral beam. D. Whyte No required or recommended textbooks 22.64J Ionized Gases
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(Same subject as 16.55[J]) Prereq: 8.02 or permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9
Properties and behavior of low-temperature plasmas for energy conversion, plasma propulsion, and gas lasers. Equilibrium of ionized gases: energy states, statistical mechanics, and relationship to thermodynamics. Kinetic theory: motion of charged particles, distribution function, collisions, characteristic lengths and times, cross sections, and transport properties. Gas surface interactions: thermionic emission, sheaths, and probe theory. Radiation in plasmas and diagnostics. C. Guerra Garcia 22.67J Principles of Plasma Diagnostics
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(Same subject as 8.670[J]) Prereq: 22.611 Units: 4-4-4
Introduction to the physical processes used to measure the properties of plasmas, especially fusion plasmas. Measurements of magnetic and electric fields, particle flux, refractive index, emission and scattering of electromagnetic waves and heavy particles; their use to deduce plasma parameters such as particle density, pressure, temperature, and velocity, and hence the plasma confinement properties. Discussion of practical examples and assessments of the accuracy and reliability of different techniques. Staff Nuclear Materials22.71J Modern Physical Metallurgy
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(Same subject as 3.40[J]) (Subject meets with 3.14) Prereq: (3.20 and 3.22) or permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9 Lecture: MW3.30-5 (4-261)
Focuses on the links between the processing, structure, and properties of metals and alloys. First, the physical bases for strength, stiffness, and ductility are discussed with reference to crystallography, defects, and microstructure. Second, phase transformations and microstructural evolution are studied in the context of alloy thermodynamics and kinetics. Together, these components comprise the modern paradigm for designing metallic microstructures for optimized properties. Concludes with a focus on processing-microstructure-property relationships in structural engineering alloys. Students taking the graduate version explore the subject in greater depth. R. Freitas No textbook information available 22.72 Corrosion: The Environmental Degradation of Materials
()Not offered regularly; consult department (Subject meets with 22.072) Prereq: None Units: 3-0-9
Applies thermodynamics and kinetics of electrode reactions to aqueous corrosion of metals and alloys. Application of advanced computational and modeling techniques to evaluation of materials selection and susceptibility of metal/alloy systems to environmental degradation in aqueous systems. Discusses materials degradation problems in marine environments, oil and gas production, and energy conversion and generation systems, including fossil and nuclear. Staff 22.73J Defects in Materials
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(Same subject as 3.33[J]) Prereq: 3.21 and 3.22 Units: 3-0-9
Examines point, line, and planar defects in structural and functional materials. Relates their properties to transport, radiation response, phase transformations, semiconductor device performance and quantum information processing. Focuses on atomic and electronic structures of defects in crystals, with special attention to optical properties, dislocation dynamics, fracture, and charged defects population and diffusion. Examples also drawn from other systems, e.g., disclinations in liquid crystals, domain walls in ferromagnets, shear bands in metallic glass, etc. J. Li 22.74J Radiation Damage and Effects in Nuclear Materials
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(Same subject as 3.31[J]) (Subject meets with 22.074) Prereq: 3.21, 22.14, or permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9 Lecture: TR2.30-4 (24-121) +final
Studies the origins and effects of radiation damage in structural materials for nuclear applications. Radiation damage topics include formation of point defects, defect diffusion, defect reaction kinetics and accumulation, and differences in defect microstructures due to the type of radiation (ion, proton, neutron). Radiation effects topics include detrimental changes to mechanical properties, phase stability, corrosion properties, and differences in fission and fusion systems. Term project required. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. M. Short Textbooks (Fall 2025) 22.75J Properties of Solid Surfaces
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(Same subject as 3.30[J]) Prereq: 3.20, 3.21, or permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9
Covers fundamental principles needed to understand and measure the microscopic properties of the surfaces of solids, with connections to structure, electronic, chemical, magnetic and mechanical properties. Reviews the theoretical aspects of surface behavior, including stability of surfaces, restructuring, and reconstruction. Examines the interaction of the surfaces with the environment, including absorption of atoms and molecules, chemical reactions and material growth, and interaction of surfaces with other point defects within the solids (space charges in semiconductors). Discusses principles of important tools for the characterization of surfaces, such as surface electron and x-ray diffraction, electron spectroscopies (Auger and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), scanning tunneling, and force microscopy. B. Yildiz 22.76J Ionics and Its Applications
()Not offered regularly; consult department (Same subject as 3.55[J]) Prereq: None Units: 3-0-9
Discusses valence states of ions and how ions and charge move in liquid and solid states. Introduces molten salt systems and how they are used in nuclear energy and processing. Addresses corrosion and the environmental degradation of structural materials. Examines the applications of ionics and electrochemistry in industrial processing, computing, new energy technologies, and recycling and waste treatment. Staff 22.78J Nuclear Energy and the Environment: Waste, Effluents, and Accidents
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(Same subject as 1.878[J]) (Subject meets with 1.098[J], 22.078[J]) Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9
Introduces the essential knowledge for understanding nuclear waste management. Includes material flow sheets for nuclear fuel cycle, waste characteristics, sources of radioactive wastes, compositions, radioactivity and heat generation, chemical processing technologies, geochemistry, waste disposal technologies, environmental regulations and the safety assessment of waste disposal. Covers different types of wastes: uranium mining waste, low-level radioactive waste, high-level radioactive waste and fusion waste. Provides the quantitative methods to compare the environmental impact of different nuclear and other energy-associated waste. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. H. Wainwright Systems, Policy, and Economics22.811J Sustainable Energy
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(Same subject as 1.818[J], 2.65[J], 10.391[J], 11.371[J]) (Subject meets with 2.650[J], 10.291[J], 22.081[J]) Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-1-8 URL: http://web.mit.edu/10.391J/www/ Lecture: TR11-12.30 (9-354)
Assessment of current and potential future energy systems. Covers resources, extraction, conversion, and end-use technologies, with emphasis on meeting 21st-century regional and global energy needs in a sustainable manner. Examines various energy technologies in each fuel cycle stage for fossil (oil, gas, synthetic), nuclear (fission and fusion) and renewable (solar, biomass, wind, hydro, and geothermal) energy types, along with storage, transmission, and conservation issues. Emphasizes analysis of energy propositions within an engineering, economic and social context. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments. K. Shirvan No required or recommended textbooks 22.814J Nuclear Weapons and International Security
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(Same subject as 17.474[J]) Prereq: None Units: 4-0-8
Examines the historical, political, and technical contexts for nuclear policy making, including the development of nuclear weapons by states, the evolution of nuclear strategy, the role nuclear weapons play in international politics, the risks posed by nuclear arsenals, and the policies and strategies in place to mitigate those risks. Equal emphasis is given to political and technical considerations affecting national choices. Considers the issues surrounding new non-proliferation strategies, nuclear security, and next steps for arms control. Enrollment limited to 15; preference given to doctoral students in Courses 17 and 22. V. Narang General22.90 Nuclear Science and Engineering Laboratory
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(Subject meets with 22.09) Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 1-5-9
See description under subject 22.09. Staff 22.901 Independent Project in Nuclear Science and Engineering
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged TBA.
For graduate students who wish to conduct a one-term project of theoretical or experimental nature in the field of nuclear engineering, in close cooperation with individual staff members. Topics and hours arranged to fit students' requirements. Projects require prior approval. Fall: Contact NSE Academic Office Spring: Contact NSE Academic Office Summer: Contact NSE Academic Office No required or recommended textbooks 22.911 Seminar in Nuclear Science and Engineering I
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Prereq: None Units: 2-0-1 [P/D/F] Lecture: F10-12 (24-307)
Provides instruction in aspects of effective oral presentations and exposure to technical communication skills useful for professional conferences and scientific meetings. Focuses on presenting research for scientifically knowledgeable audiences. Culminates in a technical talk at a department-wide seminar series. A. Mitchell No required or recommended textbooks 22.912 Seminar in Nuclear Science and Engineering II
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Prereq: None Units: 2-0-1 [P/D/F]
Provides instruction in aspects of effective visual and oral presentation and exposure to technical communication skills useful in academic and professional settings. Focuses on presenting research content in visual format as well as high level scientific communication. Culminates in a presentation at a department-wide event. A. Mitchell 22.913 Professional Perspective in Nuclear Science and Engineering
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| | | 22.00-22.099 plus UROP, UPOP, and ThU | | | 22.101-22.599 | | | 22.60-22.THG | | | |
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