fast electron

A fast electron is a subatomic particle with a negative electric charge. Electrons are fundamental components of atoms, orbiting the nucleus which contains protons and neutrons. When electrons are emitted from radioactive nuclei, they are referred to as beta-minus radiation.12

Fast electrons interact with matter through the Coulomb force, causing them to decelerate. They travel much farther than heavy charged particles for the same initial energy and are easily deflected, resulting in tracks that deviate significantly from a straight line. This characteristic makes them low dE/dx radiations, meaning they deposit energy less densely along their path.2

In particle accelerators, electrons are accelerated to near the speed of light. At these speeds, relativistic effects become significant, increasing their mass considerably. This knowledge is crucial for designing such machines and understanding particle interactions.34