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definitions

cyclotron

[sahy-kluh-tron, sik-luh-]
See more synonyms for cyclotron on Thesaurus.com
noun Physics.
  1. an accelerator in which particles are propelled in spiral paths by the use of a constant magnetic field.

Origin of cyclotron

First recorded in 1930–35; cyclo- + -tron
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for cyclotron

accelerator, cyclotron, synchrotron

Examples from the Web for cyclotron

Historical Examples of cyclotron

  • Construction on the rest of the cyclotron was resumed in 1945.

    LRL Accelerators

    Lawrence Radiation Laboratory

  • It may be interesting to note that the π0 meson was discovered with this cyclotron in 1950.

    LRL Accelerators

    Lawrence Radiation Laboratory

  • After the bombardment is completed the target is removed from the cyclotron.

    LRL Accelerators

    Lawrence Radiation Laboratory

  • However, Professor Lawrence hoped to reach 100 Mev with the new 184-inch cyclotron.

    LRL Accelerators

    Lawrence Radiation Laboratory

  • This tuned circuit, which is called the cyclotron resonator, is shown in Fig. 6.

    LRL Accelerators

    Lawrence Radiation Laboratory

British Dictionary definitions for cyclotron

cyclotron

noun
  1. 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
Word Origin and History for cyclotron
n.

1935, from cyclo- + ending from electron.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
cyclotron in Science

cyclotron

[sī′klə-trŏn′]
  1. 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
cyclotron in Culture

cyclotron

[(seye-kluh-tron)]

The first kind of particle accelerator built.

Note

Cyclotrons are now used for special research projects.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.