synchrotron

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a circular particle accelerator in which radiofrequency electric fields accelerate charged particles while a synchronized magnetic field keeps them on a fixed closed path as their energy increases

   The synchrotron increased its magnetic field as the protons gained energy around the ring.

Formed from synchro- ("together in time") + -tron, a suffix used for scientific devices. The name refers to synchronizing the accelerating electric field and guiding magnetic field with the motion and increasing energy of the particle beam.

Topics