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

Thus the University of Illinois unveiled its betatron, the first of such power to be used in the U.S. for medical treatment.*

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

The only patients accepted for the betatron were those with cancers so far advanced that no other treatment offered any hope.

From Time Magazine Archive

The betatron is not basically a producer of X rays, but of high-speed electrons.

From Time Magazine Archive

The rays of the Illinois betatron are too powerful to use in treating cancer or for photographing, say, the innards of battleships.

From Time Magazine Archive