particle beam

American  

noun

1. Physics. a concentrated stream of particles, as electrons, neutrons, or protons, generated for studying particle interactions, nuclear structure, crystal structure, etc.

2. Military. a high-energy stream of such particles for use as a weapon or for antimissile defense.

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particle beam British  

noun

1. a stream of energized particles produced by a particle accelerator

2. such a stream emitted by a particle beam weapon

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Example Sentences

TAE creates something like a smoke ring of plasma and aims high-powered neutral particle beams at it to heat and stabilize it, spinning the plasma, like keeping a toy top in motion.

From The Wall Street Journal

The incoming particle beams are relatively focused, like current flowing through a cord.

From Science Daily

Researchers have already shown they can fuse protons and boron by using particle beams aimed at a solid target or by blasting plasma with lasers.

From Science Magazine

In a tokamak, microwaves and particle beams heat the fuel and magnetic fields trap it.

From Science Magazine

Heating is provided by microwaves or high energy particle beams.

From Science Magazine