Abstract

Alpha-, Beta- and Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy Volume 1 offers a comprehensive account of radioactivity and related low-energy phenomena. It summarizes progress in the field of alpha-, beta- and gamma-ray spectroscopy, including the discovery of the non-conservation of parity, as well as new experimental methods that elucidate the processes of weak interactions in general and beta-decay in particular.
Comprised of 14 chapters, the book presents experimental methods and theoretical discussions and calculations to maintain the link between experiment and theory. It begins with a discussion of the interaction of electrons and alpha particles with matter. The book explains the elastic scattering of electrons by atomic nuclei and the interaction between gamma-radiation and matter. It then introduces topic on beta-ray spectrometer theory and design and crystal diffraction spectroscopy of nuclear gamma rays. Moreover, the book discusses the applications of the scintillation counter; proportional counting in gases; and the general processes and procedures used in determining disintegration schemes through a study of the beta- and gamma-rays emitted. In addition, it covers the nuclear shell model; collective nuclear motion and the unified model; and alpha-decay conservation laws. The emissions of gamma-radiation during charged particle bombardment and from fission fragments, as well as the neutron-capture radiation spectroscopy, are also explained.
Experimentalists will find this book extremely useful.
The first edition was very useful; the new one contains more information and is more up-to-date. Professor Kai Siegbahn has earned admiration by managing to obtain manuscripts from so many active physicists.
American Journal of Physics
... the work has retained its general purpose and character, as well as its very high standard of excellence. In fact it can almost be described as an encyclopaedic treatise on nuclear physics.
Nuclear Physics
... this work is a valuable contribution to nucleonic literature and is to be recommended as a useful refence book.
Nature