HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Cyclotron 021705
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The
. CYC LOTRON
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TEXAS A&M. UNIVERSITY
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The Cyclotron
The cyclotron, a device for accelerating
charged particles to high energies, was invented
by E. O. Lawrence and M. S . Livingston in 1931.
Charged particles injected at the center are bent
into circular paths by traveling in a vertical mag-
netic field.' A rapidly alternating voltage applied
between hollow electrodes (dees) accelerates the
particles each time they complete a half circle and
cross the gap between the electrodes. The particles
travel in ever-widening orbits until they are ex-
tracted by deflecting electrodes and aimed at an
externally placed target. This entire process takes
place in a vacuum so that air molecules will not ob-
struct the motion of the particles. Particles that
have been accelerated with the cyclotron include
protons (hydrogen nuclei), alpha particles (helium
nuclei), carbon ions and oxygen ions.
Nuclear chemists and physicists bombard targets
with the high energy particles to study the exceed-
ingly complex atomic nucleus. The nuclei in the tar-
get may themselves be studied, or other nuclei may
be formed by adding to or breaking up the target
nucleus. Alpha, beta and gamma radiation as well as
other particles may be detected after the nuclear
reaction to provide ,clues to the processes that occur.
The cyclotron is also used for industrial and
medical purposes. Particles accelerated by the
cyclotron simulate radiation found in space and sys-
tems to be used in satellites have been tested and
calibrated here. Cyclotron-produced radiation is
,also being used to destroy tumors in animals, and
an extensive program is being developed which could
. lead to the treatment of human cancer patients in
the future.
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THE CYCLOTRON
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1-40
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THE CONTROL ROOM
DATA PROCESSING ROOM
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CHEM ISTRY LAB.
CAVE 3
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