Particle Accelerators

Introduction

• Analogy of cars used to explain particle accelerators.
  • "Cool car" vs. "Wonder car" analogy for understanding particle collision.

Basic Working Principle

• Accelerate elementary particles (e.g., protons, electrons) to high speeds (99.99% of speed of light).
• Particles collide with stationary targets or other particles.
• Collisions produce massive particles (e.g., top quark, Higgs boson), which decay into smaller particles.
• Helps understand elementary particles and the universe's origins post-Big Bang.

Types of Particle Accelerators

1. Linear Accelerators (LINACs)
   • Accelerate ions/subatomic particles using a strong electric field along a linear path.
2. Circular Accelerators
   • Particles accelerated along a circular path.
   • Largest example: Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN.
   • Length: 17 miles (27 km), greater than Manhattan.
   • Also known as "atom smashers."

Components and Mechanism

• Particle Source: Provides elementary particles (e.g., protons, electrons).
• Beam Pipe: Metal pipe maintaining a vacuum for unimpeded particle travel.
• Electric Fields: Create radio waves to push and accelerate particles.
• Electromagnets: Focus and lock the particle beam in a circular path.
• Energy: Particles gain energy; LHC protons reach 6.5 trillion electron volts.
• Einstein’s Energy-Mass Equivalence: Mass and energy are interchangeable, allowing creation of particles like the Higgs boson.

Applications and Importance

• Particle Research: Understanding matter and origins of the universe.
• Medical Science:
  • Diagnostics using X-rays and high-energy electrons.
  • Radiation therapy for cancer.
• Industrial Uses:
  • Ion implantation for semiconductor manufacturing.
  • Manufacturing computer chips.
  • Sterilization of food items.

Miscellaneous

• Particle accelerators can be both large and small.
• Over 30,000 accelerators worldwide.
• Integral to modern civilization beyond just research.