Betatron

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First betatron 1940

Betatron 6MeV (1942)

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Melbourne University 35MeV Betatron

Betatron is a type of particle accelerator that is specifically designed for accelerating electrons. Its operation is based on the principle of induction, where electrons are accelerated by changing magnetic fields. The concept of the betatron was first proposed in 1928 by Rolf Widerøe, a Norwegian engineer and physicist, but it was not until the 1940s that the first successful betatron was built by Donald Kerst, an American physicist. The betatron played a crucial role in the development of nuclear physics and medical physics, particularly in the fields of radiation therapy and diagnostic radiology.

Principle of Operation

The betatron operates on the principle similar to that of a transformer, with the primary coil being the magnet that generates a changing magnetic field and the secondary coil being the vacuum tube in which the electrons are accelerated. The electrons are injected into the vacuum tube and are kept in a circular orbit by a magnetic field. As the magnetic field changes, it induces an electric field that accelerates the electrons. The strength of the magnetic field is carefully controlled to keep the electrons in a stable orbit while they are being accelerated to high energies.

Components

The main components of a betatron include:

• Magnet Coils: Used to generate the magnetic field necessary for the operation of the betatron.
• Vacuum Tube: A doughnut-shaped tube where electrons are accelerated. It is kept under high vacuum to prevent the electrons from colliding with air molecules.
• Injection and Extraction Systems: Mechanisms for injecting electrons into the vacuum tube and extracting them once they have reached the desired energy level.

Applications

Betatrons were primarily used in the mid-20th century for both scientific research and medical applications. In nuclear physics, betatrons were used to produce high-energy X-rays and gamma rays for experiments involving the structure of the atomic nucleus. In medical physics, betatrons were used for radiation therapy to treat cancer, as they could generate high-energy X-rays capable of penetrating deep into the body to target tumors.

Historical Significance

The development of the betatron marked a significant milestone in the field of particle accelerators. It was the first machine capable of reaching the energies necessary for exploring the atomic nucleus and paved the way for the development of more advanced particle accelerators, such as the synchrotron and the Large Hadron Collider. The betatron also contributed to significant advancements in medical treatment and research, particularly in the field of radiation therapy.

See Also

• Particle accelerator
• Synchrotron
• Large Hadron Collider
• Nuclear physics
• Medical physics