ydintoiminta

Ydintoiminta, literally “nuclear activity” in Finnish, refers to the processes and activities that involve atomic nuclei. In physics it covers natural and artificial nuclear phenomena such as radioactive decay (alpha, beta, gamma), nuclear reactions (fission, fusion, neutron capture), and the related transport, transmutation, and detection methods. The field is broadly divided into fundamental nuclear physics, nuclear reaction physics, reactor physics, and radiation protection.

The scope includes both theoretical and experimental work, including studies of nuclear structure, decay schemes, reaction cross sections, and binding energy. Practical applications span energy production, medicine, industry, and research. In energy production, controlled fission in nuclear reactors is used to generate heat and electricity, governed by safety and regulatory frameworks. In medicine, radioisotopes are used for imaging and targeted therapy. In industry, nuclear techniques such as radiography and gauging are employed for quality control and material analysis.

Safety, regulation, and public policy are integral to ydintoiminta. In Finland, oversight is provided by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), which handles licensing, safety standards, and inspections. Waste management and decommissioning are important topics, with long-term disposal plans for spent nuclear fuel developed by organizations such as Posiva, including the Onkalo repository project. Education and research in Finland also address ydintoiminta through university programs and collaborative international projects, emphasizing both scientific advancement and radiation protection.