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

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

After 15 minutes under full pressure, during which the patient's body is closely watched by means of closed-circuit television, the radiologist turns on the betatron, shoots radiation at the tumor.

From Time Magazine Archive

Doctors feel that the betatron has shown remarkable promise in brain cancer; of six cases treated, only one has died.

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From Time Magazine Archive

Yet only four of the betatron patients are known to have died of cancer; eight have died from other causes not directly related to cancer.

From Time Magazine Archive