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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
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
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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 23 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
More from Merriam-Webster on linear accelerator
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about linear accelerator
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