Gaseous and Quantum Electronics in Nuclear Engineering Education

Abstract

The roles of gaseous and quantum electronics in nuclear engineering, and consequently in nuclear engineering education, are growing at a significant rate. The nuclear engineering program of the University of Illinois currently has 10 students, out of a total graduate student enrollment of 90, specializing in these areas. Course work follows an interdisciplinary approach to supplement the basic nuclear engineering core of courses.

Research is primarily focused on radiationinduced plasmas. Both theoretical and experimental aspects are investigated; however, the major effort is devoted to the study of radiation coupling to laser plasmas. This coupling has been shown by the enhancement of electrical lasers and by the direct nuclear pumping of laser plasmas. A typical example of this research is a study of a gas mixture of He-Ne-O₂ irradiated by neutrons from the University of Illinois TRIGA reactor. Although conclusive proof of lasing has not been demonstrated, indications of gain and a population inversion have been achieved.