Accelerator physics is the designing, building and operating of particle accelerators. It is the study of motion, manipulation and observation of relativistic charged particle beams and their interaction with an accelerator structure by electromagnetic fields.
It is also related to other fields:
- Microwave engineering (for acceleration/deflection structures in the radio frequency range).
- Optics with an emphasis on laser physics (laser-particle interaction) and geometrical optics (beam focusing and bending).
- Computer technology with an emphasis on digital signal processing; e.g., for automated manipulation of the particle beam.
The experiments conducted with particle accelerators are not regarded as part of accelerator physics, but belong (according to the objectives of the experiments) to, e.g., particle physics, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics or materials physics. The types of experiments done at a particular accelerator facility are determined by characteristics of the generated particle beam such as average energy, particle type, intensity, and dimensions.
Read more about Accelerator Physics: Acceleration and Interaction of Particles With RF Structures, Beam Dynamics, Beam Diagnostics, Machine Tolerances
Famous quotes containing the word physics:
“But this invites the occult mind,
Cancels our physics with a sneer,
And spatters all we knew of denouement
Across the expedient and wicked stones.”
—Karl Shapiro (b. 1913)