akceleratory

Akceleratory, often referred to in English as accelerators, are devices that increase the kinetic energy of charged particles by applying electric fields, frequently using magnetic fields to steer and focus the beam. They enable experiments at high energies and generate radiation for medical and industrial uses.

There are two broad classes: linear accelerators (linacs) that propel particles along a straight path, and circular accelerators in which particles travel around a ring under repeated acceleration and bending magnets. Linear accelerators include medical linear accelerators for radiation therapy and electron accelerators, while circular types include cyclotrons and synchrotrons. Advanced designs such as fixed-field alternating-gradient machines are also studied.

In medical contexts, accelerators provide high-energy X-rays for radiotherapy or protons for hadron therapy, and cyclotrons or linacs are used to produce short-lived isotopes for diagnostic imaging.

In physics research, accelerators reach energies sufficient to probe fundamental particles and interactions. Large facilities such as the Large Hadron Collider and specialized synchrotron light sources enable particle collisions and the production of intense X-ray beams for materials science and biology.

Core components include particle sources, accelerating structures such as radio-frequency cavities, magnetic systems (dipoles and quadrupoles) to steer and focus the beam, beam transport lines, and detectors or experiments situated along the beam path. Safety measures include shielding and radiation protection programs.

Origins date from the early 20th century with linacs and cyclotrons; ongoing development aims at higher energies, brighter beams, and more compact designs for medicine and industry.