Synchrocyclotron

Encyclopedia : S : SY : SYN : Synchrocyclotron

A part of a magnet from the Orsay synchrocyclotron, now used by the proton therapy center (to be replaced in 2008 by newer technologies)

A synchrocyclotron is a cyclotron in which the frequency of the driving RF electric field is varied to compensate for the mass gain of the accelerated particles as their velocity begins to approach the speed of light. This is in contrast to the classical cyclotron, where the frequency was held constant.

Synchrocyclotrons have not been built since the isochronous cyclotron was developed.

Isochronous cyclotrons maintain a constant RF driving frequency and compensate for the relativistic mass gain of the accelerated particles by increasing the magnetic field with radius. Isochronous cyclotrons are capable of producing much greater beam current than synchrocyclotrons.

See also

• Cyclotron — this contains a mathematics section that assumes constancy of mass, and an extensive see also section.
• Betatron

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