Cyclotron particle

The cyclotron is a circular particle accelerator that drives nuclear physics and medical radioisotope production.

About this subject

The cyclotron was invented by Ernest Lawrence in 1929 at the University of California, Berkeley. Unlike linear accelerators, it uses a constant magnetic field to bend the path of charged particles into a spiral, while an alternating electric field accelerates them on each half-turn. This compact design enables particles such as protons and deuterons to reach energies of several MeV (million electron-volts), sufficient to break atomic nuclei.

The first machine, only 4 inches in diameter, accelerated ionized hydrogen to 80 keV. Later models reached hundreds of MeV, such as the 60-inch cyclotron at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which contributed to the discovery of transuranium elements. Today, cyclotrons are widely used for producing radioisotopes for positron emission tomography (PET), cancer therapy, and particle physics research.

In Brazil, the Institute of Nuclear Engineering (IEN) and the Center for Radiation Technology (CTR) operate cyclotrons for medical and scientific purposes. The advantage of this accelerator is its continuous operation and relatively low cost, making it accessible not only in large laboratories but also in hospitals and universities. The inherent safety of the design allows operators to control the beam with precision, minimizing external radiation risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cyclotron?

It is a circular particle accelerator that uses magnetic and electric fields to accelerate charged particles like protons to high energies, used in nuclear research and medicine.

How does a cyclotron work?

Particles are injected at the center and spiral outward under a constant magnetic field, gaining energy each time they pass through an alternating electric field between the 'dees'.

What are modern uses of cyclotrons?

Mainly to produce radioisotopes for medical imaging (PET scans) and cancer therapy, as well as for physics and materials science research.