atom smasher

atom smasher

n. See particle accelerator.

atom smasher

n (Atomic Physics) physics the nontechnical name for accelerator²

par′ticle accel`erator

n. an electrostatic or electromagnetic device, as a cyclotron, that produces high-energy particles and focuses them on a target. Also called accelerator. [1945–50]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

atom smasher - a scientific instrument that increases the kinetic energy of charged particlesparticle accelerator, acceleratorbetatron, induction accelerator - accelerates a continuous beam of electrons to high speeds by means of the electric field produced by changing magnetic fluxcharge-exchange accelerator - an accelerator in which high-energy ions escape from plasma following charge exchangeCockcroft and Walton accelerator, Cockcroft and Walton voltage multiplier, Cockcroft-Walton accelerator, Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier - a high-voltage machine in which rectifiers charge capacitors that discharge and drive charged particles through an accelerating tubecollider - an accelerator in which two beams of particles are forced to collide head oncyclotron - an accelerator that imparts energies of several million electron-volts to rapidly moving particleslinac, linear accelerator - ions are accelerated along a linear path by voltage differences on electrodes along the pathscientific instrument - an instrument used by scientistsstorage ring - container consisting of a set of magnets set in a doughnut-shaped ring around which charged particles from an accelerator can be kept circulating until they are used

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