CyclotronThe cyclotron was one of the earliest types of particle accelerators, and is still used as the first stage of some large multi-stage particle accelerators. It makes use of the magnetic force on a moving charge to bend moving charges into a semicircular path between accelerations by an applied electric field. The applied electric field accelerates electrons between the "dees" of the magnetic field region. The field is reversed at the cyclotron frequency to accelerate the electrons back across the gap. When the cyclotron principle is used to accelerate electrons, it has been historically called a betatron. The cyclotron principle as applied to electrons is illustrated below.
|
Index Electromagnetic force Magnetic field concepts | |||
|
Go Back |
Cyclotron Frequency
When a square wave of angular frequency is applied between the two sides of the magnetic poles, the charge will be boosted again at just the right time to accelerate it across the gap. Thus the constant cyclotron frequency can continue to accelerate the charge (so long as it is not relativistic). |
Index Electromagnetic force Magnetic force Magnetic field concepts | ||
|
Go Back |