Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology - Atomic and Molecular Physics

 Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology - Atomic and Molecular Physics By Robert Allen Meyers

File Type : PDF

Language : English

Description

A PARTICLE BEAM is an ensemble of particles that move together in close proximity. A beam is characterized by a few basic parameters such as the particle species and the average energy of the particles. The beam of particles must be well collimated so that all particles stay in close proximity throughout its motion. Deviation of the motion of individual particles from the average motion of the beam must be kept sufficiently small. The species of particles in the beam is most commonly electrically charged. Most common examples of particle species are electrons and protons. Less common particles include charged particles such as muons, pions, or neutral particles such as some specific atoms or molecules. The physics of accelerators also significantly overlaps with the physics of light optics and lasers, as light can be treated as a beam of photon particles.