linear accelerator

linear accelerator

n.

An electron, a proton, or a heavy-ion accelerator in which the paths of the particles accelerated are essentially straight lines rather than circles or spirals. Also called linac.

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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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

linear accelerator - ions are accelerated along a linear path by voltage differences on electrodes along the path linac atom smasher, particle accelerator, accelerator - a scientific instrument that increases the kinetic energy of charged particles microwave linear accelerator - linear accelerator that uses microwaves