linear accelerator

noun

: a device in which charged particles are accelerated in a straight line by successive impulses from a series of electric fields

Examples of linear accelerator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The linear accelerator at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, where researchers study rare isotopes of elements. Artemis Spyrou, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2024 In addition to its famous linear accelerator which is used to find the tiniest particles in the universe, and now the massive camera, SLAC is known for building large, sophisticated machines using X-rays, lasers, and electron beams to untangle enigmas on earth and in the cosmos. Ethan Baron, The Mercury News, 22 May 2024 Newer linear accelerators are now incorporating MRIs, which significantly improve visualization of patient anatomy and tumors, further advancing treatment precision and accuracy. Behzad Ebrahimi, Discover Magazine, 5 Jan. 2024 That includes the massive radiation machines, known as linear accelerators, that are designed to aim radiation at cancer tumors. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2023 The following day, Harris Rebar Placing ironworkers used a crane to install a rebar column at the northwest corner of what was to be the front-end building housing the start of the PIP-II linear accelerator. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023 Equipment includes two new linear accelerators, a CT simulator and superficial X-ray. DLR Group is the design firm. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 9 Aug. 2023 The original plan for the SNS called for a conventional linear accelerator made of copper accelerating cavities. Byadrian Cho, science.org, 4 May 2023 Plasma accelerator scientists’ ultimate goal is to realize a linear accelerator that collides tightly focused electron and positron, or electron and electron, beams with a total energy exceeding 1 TeV. Chandrashekhar Joshi, Scientific American, 1 July 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of linear accelerator was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near linear accelerator

Cite this Entry

“Linear accelerator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linear%20accelerator. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

linear accelerator

noun
: a device in which charged particles are accelerated in a straight line by successive pushes from a series of electric fields

Medical Definition

linear accelerator

noun
: an accelerator in which particles are propelled in a straight line and receive successive increments of energy through the application of alternating potentials to a series of electrodes and gaps

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