cyclotron

[ sahy-kluh-tron, sik-luh- ]

/ ˈsaɪ kləˌtrɒn, ˈsɪk lə- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cyclotron ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Physics.

an accelerator in which particles are propelled in spiral paths by the use of a constant magnetic field.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

cyclothymic personality, cyclotome, cyclotomic, cyclotomy, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, cyclotron, cyclotropia, cyd, cyder, cydnus, cyesis

Origin of cyclotron

First recorded in 1930–35; cyclo- + -tron

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cyclotron

Element 43 was "made" for the first time as a result of bombarding molybdenum with deuterons in the Berkeley cyclotron.
A Brief History of Element Discovery, Synthesis, and Analysis|Glen W. Watson
The answer to this question, among others, is being sought by physicists using the 184-inch cyclotron.
LRL Accelerators|Lawrence Radiation Laboratory
Ions above the midplane of the cyclotron are directed downward; those below the midplane are directed upward.
LRL Accelerators|Lawrence Radiation Laboratory
However, Professor Lawrence hoped to reach 100 Mev with the new 184-inch cyclotron.
LRL Accelerators|Lawrence Radiation Laboratory

Finally they strike a target inserted into their path or are extracted from the cyclotron for use as an external beam.
LRL Accelerators|Lawrence Radiation Laboratory

British Dictionary definitions for cyclotron

cyclotron

/ (ˈsaɪkləˌtrɒn) /

noun

a type of particle accelerator in which the particles spiral inside two D-shaped hollow metal electrodes placed facing each other under the effect of a strong vertical magnetic field, gaining energy by a high-frequency voltage applied between these electrodes

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for cyclotron

cyclotron

[ sī′klə-trŏn′ ]

A type of particle accelerator that accelerates charged subatomic particles, such as protons and electrons, in an outwardly spiraling path, greatly increasing their energies. Cyclotrons are used to bring about high-speed particle collisions in order to study subatomic structures. Compare linear accelerator. See also synchrocyclotron. See Note at particle accelerator.

Culture definitions for cyclotron

cyclotron

[ (seye-kluh-tron) ]

The first kind of particle accelerator built.

Note

Cyclotrons are now used for special research projects.