[en] The extent and the possible consequences of thermal pollution caused by the increase in energy production are described. The conventional and nuclear energy resources are compared. The problems concerning the realization of the controlled thermonuclear fusion are briefly discussed. (P.L.)

[en] Results of both theoretical and experimental methods developed in ATOMKI for studying the structure of nuclei by nuclear reactions are briefly reviewed. The paper covers a wide range of topics including the classical Rutherford scattering optical model studies, direct and intermediate nucleus mechanism reactions and Doppler shift attenuation measurements. (P.L.)

[en] The quantity and the concentration of the required uranium (at starting up and continuous operation), the composition of the uranium in the burnt-out fuels are summarized and tabulated in the case of various reactor types. Data concern reactors of 1000 MW (PWR, BWR, HWR, FBR). Reactors using concentrated uranium have developed faster. There are few experiences regarding the heavy water and fast breeder reactors. The world's reserve uranium ores which can be exploited economically are estimated to be about 3 000 000 t. This store would be sufficient until the end of this century. The development of the fast breeder reactors would solve the energy problem for more hundred years. The history of the Hungarian uranium exploration is reviewed in the study. (V.N.)

[en] The application of electrochemical etching in the evaluation of solid state track detectors is described. Polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene-tetraphtalate (PET) foils were investigated from the point of view of neutron dosimetry. The dependence of the background tracks on the etching parameters is given. PC and PET foils were exposed with neutrons from different sources and the neutron sensitivity was determined as a function of exposure and etching parameters. A detection limit of 10 mrems is estimated for fast neutron dose measurements with large area PET foil detectors. (R.J.)

[en] It is explained how the analysis of the properties of the pulsating variable stars can be used to test various models of stars. The instability in the pulsations as well as the connection between pulsation and convection are discussed in some details. (P.L.)

[en] The applications of neutrons to the structural investigation of condensed systems are reviewed. Basic theoretical and experimental facts as well as methods of neutron investigation, their main aims and results are described. Some examples of application of neutron diffraction, small angle scattering and inelastic neutron scattering are given. Neutron scattering methods are compared with other ones (NMR, Moessbauer absorption, photon scattering) and their advantages are pointed out. The importance of thermal nuclear reactors as neutron sources is underlined. (D.Gy.)

[en] The unified Weinberg-Salam-Glashow theory of weak and electromagnetic interactions assumes the existence of two charged (W) and one neutral (Z) intermediate vector bosons of the unified electroweak interaction. These particles were discovered at the end of 1982 with the CERN's SPS proton-antiproton colliding beams. Technical aspects of the production and detection of W and Z bosons, the first results and their importance are described in detail. (D.Gy.)

[en] Special properties of synchrotron radiation are briefly summarized, including energy, spectral and angular distribution of radiation, polarization, time dependence and collimation. Numerous examples are given for its application in different branches of physics, chemistry and biology: spectroscopy of free atoms and molecules; surface testing using photoemission induced by synchrotron radiation; X-ray absorption fine structure studies of crystals and amorphous phases; microanalysis and microradiography; chemical lifetime measurements; study of biological materials by soft X-ray scattering; free nanosec lifetime measurements of fluorescent phenomena, especially for biological molecules; electron laser. The examples are illustrated by numerous figures and photos. (author)

[en] The experiment leading to the discovery of cosmic background radiation is described and the role of this phenomenon in the Big Bang theory is explained. The significance of possible anisotropies of cosmic background radiation is shown and the latest experiments to determine this anisotropy are described. The explanation of the observed anisotropy is also given. (P.L.)

[en] The structure, the control system and the safety devices of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant are described and compared with those of other reactors. On the basis of recorded data, the development and the course of the accident as well as the actions of the operating staff during the first days are reconstructed. The radiation exposure of the staff and the inhabitants, and the contamination of the environment are analysed and compared with normal values of nuclear experiments. (L.E.)