CODE 62121 ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026 CREDITS 6 cfu anno 3 SCIENZA DEI MATERIALI 11634 (L-SC.MAT.) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR FIS/07 LANGUAGE Italian TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 1° Semester OVERVIEW The course aims to illustrate some basic concepts of nuclear physics and ionizing radiation and to describe some techniques of analysis and non-destructive characterization of materials deriving from this sector of physics and which find numerous applications. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The course aims to illustrate some basic concepts of nuclear physics and ionizing radiation and to describe some techniques of analysis and non-destructive characterization of materials deriving from this sector of physics and which find numerous applications. AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the course the student should be able to: 1) Solve simple problems related to the physics of ionizing radiation and the basic concepts of nuclear physics 2) Know and be able to conceptually apply the measurement techniques discussed in class PREREQUISITES Basic skills in Physics and Mathematics are required TEACHING METHODS Lectures and exercises in the classroom, usually 4 hours/week. The lectures in the classroom are delivered through multimedia presentations. SYLLABUS/CONTENT Basics of nuclear physic and of ionizing radiation: The structure of the atomic nucleus Nuclear reactions and radioactive decay Fission nuclear fusion Nucleosynthesis and abundance of elements in the universe Interaction of electrons, ions and photons with matter Biological effects of ionizing radiation, dosimetry and radiation protection Operating principles of radiation detectors and spectrometric chains Operating principles of low energy ion accelerators Methods for non-destructive material analysis: 14C dating and thermoluminescence Non-destructive analysis with ion beams, X-ray fluorescence and neutron activation Application examples: air pollution and cultural heritage RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY All course handouts are provided via Aulaweb D. Halliday, R. Resnik, J. Walker, Fondamenti di fisica – fisica moderna (Ambrosiana Editrice, copies in the library) W. R. Leo, Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments (Springer-Verlag, copies in the library) TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD DARIO MASSABO' Ricevimento: Reception by appointment, in presence or via Teams LESSONS LESSONS START End of September 2025 Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION The exam is in written form and consists of 8 short exercises/problems. ASSESSMENT METHODS The questions in the written test are formulated in such a way as to verify the student's level of understanding of the most important concepts covered in the course and which form the basis of the application of nuclear physics and ionizing radiation in various fields. Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals Quality education Affordable and clean energy Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Sustainable cities and communities Climate action