cyclotron

American  

[sahy-kluh-tron, sik-luh-] / ˈsaɪ kləˌtrɒn, ˈsɪk lə- /

noun

Physics.

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

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cyclotron British  

/ ˈsaɪkləˌtrɒn /

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

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cyclotron Scientific  

/ 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.

2. Compare linear accelerator See also synchrocyclotron See Note at particle accelerator

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cyclotron Cultural  

1. The first kind of particle accelerator built.

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Discover More

Cyclotrons are now used for special research projects.

Etymology

Origin of cyclotron

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cyclotron

"We call it 'synthetic' because its mathematical description resembles the behavior of a magnetic field, even though physically it isn't there. As a result, light begins to 'bend,' much like electrons moving in cyclotron orbits."

From Science Daily ● Apr. 25, 2026

The centre in London is huge, with a vast cyclotron buried five stories underground and powering the proton beam 24 hours a day, Dr Hiley said.

From BBC ● Mar. 11, 2026

Looking up can make you feel you are within a cyclotron, sucked up like the figures you are watching.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026

The magnetic field produced by a cyclotron accelerates particles to dizzying speeds.

From Scientific American ● Mar. 16, 2023

The machines, which were dismantled by occupation personnel and dumped in the Pacific Ocean, included the identical copy of Lawrence’s sixty-inch cyclotron built in Tokyo.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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Related Words

• accelerator

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