Betatron

Name:
Betatron
Detailed information:
An electromagnetic device for accelerating electrons (β particles). Its action is similar in principle to that of an electric transformer in which the secondary windings are replaced with focusing magnets. The electrons travel around the core in a vacuum tube placed between the magnets. At each revolution around the core the electrons pick up the same energy as the voltage that would have been induced in one turn of wire at that point. The betatron can generate electron beams up to 320 MeV. Invented by D. W. Kerst in 1940, it is used chiefly for basic physical research.