A cyclotron is a particle accelerator that uses a magnetic field and alternating electric fields to accelerate particles in a circular motion, allowing for smaller accelerators. While newer accelerators exist, cyclotrons are still useful in physics experimentation and can be the initial part of a multistage accelerator. The design uses high-power electrodes to create a circular shape, with a magnetic field shifting the particle’s motion into an outward growing spiral. One disadvantage is that the target area can only be used for particles traveling at speeds calculated using Newtonian physics, but isochronous cyclotrons can compensate for relativistic particle changes.
A cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator that uses a constant magnetic field and alternating electric fields to accelerate a particle into a spiral motion. These types of particle accelerators were among the first to be devised and have several advantages over early linear accelerators, such as smaller size requirements. While advances in technology have made more complex types of particle accelerators possible, there are still some uses for cyclotrons in a number of different fields. A cyclotron can still be used in physics experimentation, especially as the initial part of a multistage accelerator.
Developed in 1932, a cyclotron is a particle accelerator that uses circular motion, typically in an outward increasing spiral, to accelerate particles for a number of different uses. Particle acceleration typically requires a large enough distance for the particles to reach sufficient velocity for use in experiments. The design of a cyclotron, however, allows smaller accelerators to be used to great effect, as the particle moves in a circular motion and travels a great distance without requiring a long straight corridor to pass through.
A cyclotron basically works by using a pair of high-power electrodes, each shaped like a “D” with their flat sides towards each other, to create a complete circular shape. Starting from the center of the circle, a particle begins to move away from the center, but using attraction and repulsion, it is instead pulled in a circular motion. The diodes alternately charge each other so that the particle is accelerated towards one, then curves as it is pushed away from that and attracted towards the other, then continues the pattern between the two electrodes. This would create a perfect circular motion if left alone, but a magnetic field is created between the two diodes, which is perpendicular to the particle’s circular motion.
This magnetic field shifts the motion of the particle slightly, so each time it passes between the two electrodes it is moved a little bit away from the center of the circle. By moving the particle slightly outward, the path it takes during acceleration becomes an outward growing spiral rather than a circle. This allows the particle to eventually strike a target area within the containment unit, where it can then be redirected for further study or use.
One major disadvantage of a cyclotron is that the target area can only be used for a particle traveling at speeds that can be correctly calculated using Newtonian physics. Higher speeds would cause relativistic effects and the target would not be hit properly, meaning a cyclotron typically can’t produce the levels of acceleration that new linear accelerators can. However, isochronous cyclotrons have been developed that can compensate for relativistic particle changes and can be quite effective.
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