Discover
/
Article

Accelerating atomic particles

OCT 01, 1948
The enormous speeds with which atomic particles smash into target materials are attained as much by ingenuity as by bigness. The author a physicist in the University of California’s Radiation Laboratory, describes how different kinds of atomic accelerators operate.
W. M. Brobeck

In the last fifteen years, in most of the important universities and scientific institutions of the world, there have been built in physics laboratories a great many large and complicated machines which project beams of fast‐moving atomic particles. These machines—the cyclotron, the betatron, the synchrotron, the synchrocyclotron, the linear accelerator, and the Van de Graaff generator—in their seeming superfluity hint that the physicist does not have what he wants, but that he is looking for it very hard.

This article is only available in PDF format

Related content
/
Article
The ability to communicate a key message clearly and concisely to a nonspecialized audience is a critical skill to develop at all educational levels.
/
Article
With strong magnetic fields and intense lasers or pulsed electric currents, physicists can reconstruct the conditions inside astrophysical objects and create nuclear-fusion reactors.
/
Article
A crude device for quantification shows how diverse aspects of distantly related organisms reflect the interplay of the same underlying physical factors.
/
Article
Events held around the world have recognized the past, present, and future of quantum science and technology.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1948_10.jpeg

Volume 1, Number 6

Get PT in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.