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linear accelerator
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noun Physics.
an accelerator in which particles are propelled in straight paths by the use of alternating electric voltages that are timed in such a way that the particles receive increasing increments of energy.
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Also called linac.
Origin of linear accelerator
First recorded in 1930–35
Words nearby linear accelerator
lineage, lineal, lineament, linear, Linear A, linear accelerator, linear algebra, Linear B, linear collider, linear combination, linear dependence
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use linear accelerator in a sentence
After some initial acceleration to get the ions moving, the beam enters the linear accelerator, which is what sets the particles really cruising.
A new particle accelerator aims to unlock secrets of bizarre atomic nuclei|Emily Conover|November 15, 2021|Science NewsAn early model of the linear accelerator also gave a beam of heavy positive ions at high energies.
It is called a linear accelerator because it accelerates particles in a straight line.
Another instrument, the heavy-ion linear accelerator (Hilac), accelerates ions as heavy as neon to about 15% the speed of light.
British Dictionary definitions for linear accelerator
linear accelerator
noun
an accelerator in which charged particles are accelerated along a linear path by potential differences applied to a number of electrodes along their pathSometimes shortened to: linac
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
Scientific definitions for linear accelerator
linear accelerator
A type of particle accelerator that accelerates charged subatomic particles, such as protons and electrons, in a straight line by means of alternating negative and positive impulses from electric fields. Linear accelerators were largely supplanted by cyclotrons and other architectures that require less path length to achieve the same or higher particle velocities. See Note at particle accelerator.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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