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

Meanwhile, armed with their 100,000,000-volt betatron and other high-voltage machines, its scientists are studying the "meson," a mysterious, sub-atomic particle which may hold the key to a revolutionary course of atomic power.

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

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

Scientists of the General Electric Co.' announced that their mighty betatron, which generates 100 million-volt X rays, had shattered not only atoms but also attacked the sub-atomic particles themselves.

From Time Magazine Archive

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