1. How important is the study of nuclear physics to the development and implementation of civilian nuclear technology for energy?

Ans.: Nuclear energy production is based on nuclear physics. If we want most advanced nuclear technology we must study nuclear physics as well as areas of physics on which nuclear physics is based , for example, quantum mechanics and relativistic quantum theory.

2. What is the potential payback to (a) industry, (b) humanity, (c) future science of the kind of fundamental research that you do?

Ans.: Our civilization is based on science and on physics in particular, from usual electricity to computers, lasers, navigation systems and even home equipment. One must remember that good science, especially major discoveries, are unpredictable. There must be research on forefront of all major fields of science to be sure that we will not miss new revolution in science and technology. Practically, every major discovery in physics sooner or later leads to most important applications.

3. How important is it that more young people choose to study nuclear physics and make a career in nuclear physics research? How can more young people be encouraged to do this or have their eyes opened to the importance of this kind of work?

Ans.: I’d better talk about general career in physics and astronomy. Different areas of physics are now closely connected. For example, I can not call myself nuclear physicist. I am theoretical physicist and try to find most interesting and important problems which I am able to solve in any field of physics. For example, atomic, nuclear and elementary particle physics now play key roles in astronomy and cosmology (Big Bang and star nucleosynthesis, supernova explosions, black holes, mysterious dark matter and dark energy, beginning and end of our Universe, possible extra dimensions and other universes). It is very interesting! Then, I repeat. Our future depends on present science research, and nobody can predict now what will be the outcome.

4. I understand that you’re part of an international community and most areas of science operate as an international community of researchers. Nonetheless, we do have a community of scientists in Australia connected by their proximity. How would you rate the quality of Australia’s nuclear and atomic physics research community?

Ans.: According to statistics citation index of Australian research in physical sciences is 20% higher than the world average level. Its OK.

5. To your knowledge, what are the key problems facing nuclear and atomic physicists, for the development of nuclear energy technology?

Ans.: The major problem is fusion energy (also called thermonuclear energy). There are huge natural resources (0.1% of normal water is heavy water containing deuterium which is the thermonuclear fuel). However, 50 years after first hydrogen bomb physicists still can not make a thermonuclear reactor which may be suitable for energy production.

6. In what ways can the scientific research community and associated institutions be grown and strengthened?

Ans.: Government must support universities. I am 15 years in Australia, and all this time, especially last several years, the funding decreases and teaching load increases. This tendency will kill university research in physics very quickly, we shall have no time to do research. Existing funding formula in universities practically does not appreciate scientific research, it is assumed that we do research in our spare time and we are not paid for this. By the way, it also reduces quality of teaching, good professor or teacher must learn continuously rather than use 50 years old baggage. Science is changing very rapidly!

7. What would you most like to see happen, from an institutional and funding viewpoint, in Australian (a) nuclear and atomic research; (b) education in nuclear and atomic science; and (c) industrial application, or development into technology, of the science you and your colleagues develop?

Ans.: Increase university funding, pay to academic staff for doing high quality research. In particular, change funding formula, pay half of the total income to university schools and departments for scientific publications (according to present formula a publication which may take a year of work bring to a school about $1000 which is a funny amount).

8. What is the effect on Australia’s development of the anti-nuclear stance of the Australian government and sections of the Australian people? In light of this, what would you like to see Australian leaders do?

Ans.: To survive a developed nation needs diversity. We can not predict future, therefore we should prepare for major different scenarios. USA, France and majority of other developed nations understand this. We need at least some experience in nuclear energy production.

9. From what state of mind or what information do you think the anti-nuclear stance emanates?

Ans.: It is probably due to a lack of positive information. What fraction of energy in developed countries is produced by nuclear reactors? Safety, probability of accident and possible consequences. Comparison of pollution and health effects with other sources (per kilowatt of energy including production of equipment and fuel). Global warming produced by "usual" fuel. I just received a Sydney Morning Herald article about nuclear energy which answers at least one of these questions (I’ll forward it to you). This article can be seen here

10. Finally, would you like to see Australia adopt nuclear energy?

Ans.: Yes, at least one modern reactor to learn how to produce nuclear energy.

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