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A cyclotron is a mechanical device which is used to speed up the charged particle. These charged particles speed up at a huge rate. It is constructed to accelerate the charged particles for different purposes.
The theory behind the formation of a cyclotron device is that, when a positively charged particle or ion is kept in a magnetic field which moves in this field it feels the combined magnetic and electric force (Lorentz force). Due to this force, the particle starts to move in a circular path. Alternating voltage of immense frequency is required in the cyclotron device to accelerate these charged particles or ions.
Construction and working theory of a cyclotron
Construction
This device consists of a hollow semi-circular shaped metallic container called the dees. In the diagram of the cyclotron shown below, the container 1 denotes D1 and D2, which is kept between the pole items of high magnetic force and powerful electromagnet. The origin of charged particles or ions is kept between the dees D1 and D2.
The two origins of charge particles are connected to a high-frequency alternating voltage generated with the help of an oscillator. The oscillator also helps to obtain the electric field of a different charge.
Working theory
The cyclotron device works on the basic principle of Lorentz force. When a positively charged particle emits from a source having some charge and mass, this charged particle has a positive charge at the start. Due to the property of the interaction of charges, this charged particle would attract the negative charge. Now, suppose this particle is kept inside the dees. In that case, the value of electric field strength on the particle at this position is zero. Hence, there is no electric field acting between the dees.
The dee D2 has a negative charge at an instant of time, which attracts the positively charged particle and lets it start to move by accelerating it. Because of the normal magnetic field, the moving particle feels both magnetic and electric force (Lorentz force).
The equation for the energy of the particle
The two main factors on which the energy of the charged particle or ion depends are diameter of the dees and the magnetic field strength. The energy is directly proportional to the square of the cyclotron’s magnetic field strength and the square of the diameter of the dees.
The equation for the centrifugal force needed to maintain the particle or ion in a curved way is expressed below.
Here, q is the positive charged particle, R is the radius of the orbit at the time of exit, m is the mass of the particle, B is the magnetic field and v is the velocity. The kinetic energy of a particle is half of the product of mass and square of velocity.
Advantages of a cyclotron
There are many fields in which the cyclotron is used for different purposes. The main applications of a cyclotron device are listed below.
- The speed-up particles can go to greater energy states within the narrow available space.
- The cyclotron device uses the same accelerating gap, making it capable of becoming compact and saving costs.
- One of the major advantages of a cyclotron is that only one electric driver is present, making it a cost-efficient device that is low on maintenance.
- This mechanical device can produce the particle beam in a continuous form.
Limitations of the cyclotron
- Since the mass of an electron is very small, the cyclotron device is incapable of accelerating or speeding up the electron.
- This device is also incapable of accelerating or speeding up the particles with no charge (natural particle).
- The cyclotron would not be able to speed up positively charged particles of immense mass.
- Cyclotron devices speed up the particle at a high rate but less than the speed of the light wave.
- It is tough to keep the same uniform magnetic field in the vast area of dees in a cyclotron device.
Conclusion
A cyclotron is a mechanical device that is used to accelerate a charged particle or positive ion to a very high rate of speed. This machine can produce radioactive isotopes and is therefore used in many nuclear reactions.
The working principle of the cyclotron machine is that a charged particle travels in a circular motion when they move perpendicular to the magnetic field.
