Nuclear and Particle Physics: Particle Accelerators
Nuclear and Particle Physics: Particle Accelerators
Introduction to Particle Accelerators
- Particle Accelerators are instruments that use electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to high speeds and to contain them in well-defined beams.
- Two key types of accelerators: linear particle accelerators (linac) and circular accelerators (synchrocyclotrons, synchrotrons and cyclotrons).
Linear Particle Accelerators (Linac)
- Linear accelerators accelerate particles along a straight line.
- They are commonly used for protons or electrons.
- Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) and Drift Tube Linac (DTL) are parts of a linac. Particles speed up in drift tube due to presence of electric fields.
Circular Accelerators
- Circular accelerators move particles in a circle using magnetic fields.
- Types include the cyclotron, synchrocyclotron, and synchrotron.
- Cyclotron uses a constant magnetic field and a constant frequency electric field.
- Synchrocyclotron uses a constant magnetic field and a decreasing frequency electric field.
- The synchrotron upgrades the cyclotron principle by also varying the magnetic field according to the energy of the beam.
Key Concepts in Particle Accelerators
- Magnetic bottles are used to trap particles before acceleration.
- Particles are excited by a Radio Frequency (RF) source or resonance method to receive energy and speed.
- Stripping foils are used to remove electrons from ions, to make them charged particles that can be accelerated.
Use of Particle Accelerators
- Particle accelerators are used in fundamental physics research to accelerate particles to high speeds and cause them to collide, allowing the study of resultant subatomic particles and forces.
- They also have practical applications in medicine (e.g., Cancer treatment), industry (e.g., Material Testing) and art research (e.g., radiocarbon dating).
This concludes an overview of particle accelerators. For a detailed understanding of various acceleration principles, components and their applications, please refer to the corresponding sections of your revision materials.