Lineaarikiihdyttimillä

Lineaarikiihdyttimillä, often referred to as linacs, are a type of particle accelerator that accelerates charged particles in a straight line. Unlike circular accelerators, linacs do not bend the particle beam. This straight-line path is achieved by a series of accelerating structures, typically made of metal tubes or cavities, placed along a straight beam pipe.

The acceleration process in a linac relies on oscillating radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. As charged particles travel through these structures, they are timed to arrive when the RF field is in the correct direction to provide a boost in energy. Each accelerating gap provides a small increase in particle velocity and energy. By using many such gaps in succession, the particles can achieve very high energies.

Linacs are used in a variety of applications. In scientific research, they are employed to generate high-energy particle beams for experiments in nuclear physics, particle physics, and condensed matter physics. They are also crucial in medical applications, particularly in radiation therapy for cancer treatment, where they produce X-rays or electron beams. Additionally, linacs are used in industrial processes, such as material modification and sterilization. The design of a linac depends on the type of particle being accelerated, the desired energy level, and the specific application.