betatron

[ bey-tuh-tronor, especially British, bee- ]

noun

, Physics.

1. an accelerator in which electrons are accelerated to high energies by an electric field produced by a changing magnetic field.

betatron

/ ˈbiːtəˌtrɒn /

noun

1. a type of particle accelerator for producing high-energy beams of electrons, having an alternating magnetic field to keep the electrons in a circular orbit of fixed radius and accelerate them by magnetic induction. It produces energies of up to about 300 MeV

betatron

/ bā′tə-trŏn′ /

1. A type of particle accelerator that uses changing magnetic fields to accelerate electrons. Energies of several hundred million electron volts can be achieved in a betatron.
2. See also particle accelerator

Word History and Origins

Origin of betatron¹

1940–45; beta ( beta particle ) + -tron

Example Sentences

The betatron's supercharged rays have their greatest impact on malignant cells from an inch to an inch and a half below the surface.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thus the University of Illinois unveiled its betatron, the first of such power to be used in the U.S. for medical treatment.*

From Time Magazine Archive

The betatron's first patient, who is 72, had cancer of the larynx, rooted about an inch beneath the skin.

From Time Magazine Archive

If Radiologist Harvey's estimate is right, every day for the next two to three weeks more & more cancer cells in and around the patient's larynx will have their nuclei killed by the betatron's almost irresistible rays.

From Time Magazine Archive

The betatron is not basically a producer of X rays, but of high-speed electrons.

From Time Magazine Archive