standing-wave linear accelerator
Quick Summary
A standing-wave linear accelerator is a type of particle accelerator that uses a series of alternating electric fields to accelerate subatomic particles, such as protons, to higher energies. These accelerators employ the principle of phase stability to ensure particles remain synchronized with the accelerating fields.1
In this design, standing electromagnetic waves are created within a cylindrical metal tank. To prevent particles from decelerating when the electric field reverses, "drift tubes" are installed along the central axis. These tubes shield the particles during unfavorable field directions, while the particles are accelerated as they pass through gaps between the tubes when the field is in the correct direction. This method allows for efficient acceleration, with the lengths of the drift tubes increasing as the particles gain speed.2
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linear acceleratorThe proton linac, designed by the American physicist Luis Alvarez in 1946, is a more efficient variant of Wideröe’s structure. In this accelerator, electric fields are set up as standing waves within a cylindrical metal “resonant cavity,” with drift tubes suspended along the central axis. The…
Read MoreThe proton linac, designed by the American physicist Luis Alvarez in 1946, is a more efficient variant of Wideröe’s structure. In this accelerator, electric fields are set up as standing waves within a cylindrical metal “resonant cavity,” with drift tubes suspended along the central axis. The…
Read More
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Read More…fall into two distinct types: standing-wave linear accelerators (used for heavy particles) and traveling-wave linear accelerators (used to accelerate electrons). The reason for the difference is that, after electrons have been accelerated to a few megaelectron volts in the first few metres of a typical accelerator, they have speeds very…
Read More- particle acceleratorLinear proton accelerators
The design principle applied in linear accelerators for protons was originated by Luis Alvarez at Berkeley in 1946. It is based on the formation of standing electromagnetic waves in a long cylindrical metal tank or cavity. In the design that has been…
Read MoreThe design principle applied in linear accelerators for protons was originated by Luis Alvarez at Berkeley in 1946. It is based on the formation of standing electromagnetic waves in a long cylindrical metal tank or cavity. In the design that has been…
Read More