betatron

American  

[bey-tuh-tron, bee-] / ˈbeɪ təˌtrɒn, ˈbi- /

noun

Physics.

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

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betatron British  

/ 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

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betatron Scientific  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of betatron

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

Example Sentences

The betatron shoots pure energy in the form of X rays.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the Illinois betatron, the electrons circle a nine-foot, doughnut-shaped tube 140,000 times in four one-thousandths of a second, reach a speed only one-millionth part less than the speed of light.

From Time Magazine Archive

The principal purpose of the Illinois betatron will be to produce copious supplies of mesons, the particles which are thought to be connected with the "binding force" that holds atomic nuclei together.

From Time Magazine Archive

Said Professor Donald William Kerst, developer of the betatron and builder of the Illinois machine: "We are in business, making mesons."

From Time Magazine Archive

Meanwhile, the doctors are trying something new with the betatron.

From Time Magazine Archive