particle beams
Subatomic matter streams
Particle beams are streams of subatomic particles—electrons, protons, or ions—accelerated to high speeds and focused into a coherent beam.
They have applications in physics research, medical treatments like cancer radiation therapy, and theoretical weapons development.
Unlike light beams, particle beams carry mass and can penetrate or destroy materials: The accelerator generates particle beams for experiments.
Straight-path particle accelerator
- synchrotronCircular charged-particle accelerator
- cyclotronSpiral-path particle accelerator
- dipoleSeparated opposite charges
- magnetronMicrowave-generating vacuum tube
radiofrequency · buncher · cavity · superconducting magnet · focusing · steering · injection · extraction
Positive nuclear particles
Strength or force level
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
- brightnessDegree of light emitted
- focusingConcentrating on one point
Distribution in many directions
- cross-sectionView through interior
- interactionReciprocal action between parties
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
- colliderDual-beam particle accelerator
LHC · CERN · detectors · luminosity · fragmentation · calorimeter · vertex
Cancer treatment with charged particles
- cancer treatmentMedical intervention for malignancy
- radiotherapyMedical radiation for cancer
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- semiconductor fabricationManufacturing integrated circuits
linac
Straight-path particle accelerator
- synchrotronCircular charged-particle accelerator
- cyclotronSpiral-path particle accelerator
- dipoleSeparated opposite charges
magnetron · radiofrequency · buncher · cavity · superconducting magnet · focusing · steering · injection · extraction · deflection
protons
Positive nuclear particles
intensity
Strength or force level
- divergenceSeparation from common origin
- coherenceLogical internal consistency
- brightnessDegree of light emitted
focusing · collimation · polarization · halo
scattering
Distribution in many directions
- cross-sectionView through interior
- interactionReciprocal action between parties
- annihilationUtter, complete destruction
collider · LHC · CERN · detectors · luminosity · fragmentation · calorimeter · vertex
proton therapy
Cancer treatment with charged particles
- cancer treatmentMedical intervention for malignancy
- radiotherapyMedical radiation for cancer
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
semiconductor fabrication · welding · fusion research · transmutation · imaging
- particle physicsquark, quarks, lepton, leptons, boson
- nuclear sciencenuclear fission, nuclear physics, nuclear fusion, radiation, nuclear fuel
- particleselectrons, electron, protons, proton, neutrons
- extreme energynuclear power, gamma rays, supernovas, explosions, fusion
- plasma physicsplasma, ionized gas, ionized gases, ions, electrons
particle beamselectromagnetic radiation
Wave-propagating energy through space
laser beams · radio waves · light · X-rays · gamma rays
particle, particles, particulate, beam, beams, beamed, beaming, part, parts