It consists of a hollow metal cylinder divided into two sections D1 and D2 called Dees, enclosed in an evacuated chamber (Fig 3.21). The Dees are kept separated and a source of ions is placed at the centre in the gap between the Dees. They are placed between the pole pieces of a strong electromagnet. The magnetic field acts perpendicular to the plane of the Dees. The Dees are connected to a high frequency oscillator. Working: When a positive ion of charge q and mass m is emitted from the source, it is accelerated towards the Dee having a negative potential at that instant of time.

• Cyclotron Working Video

Due to the normal magnetic field, the ion experiences magnetic lorentz force and moves in a circular path. By the time the ion arrives at the gap between the Dees, the polarity of the Dees gets reversed. Hence the particle is once again accelerated and moves into the other Dee with a greater velocity along a circle of greater radius. Thus the particle moves in a spiral path of increasing radius and when it comes near the edge, it is taken out with the help of a deflector plate (D.P). The particle with high energy is now allowed to hit the target T. When the particle moves along a circle of radius r with a velocity v, the magnetic Lorentz force provides the necessary centripetal force. Bqv = (vm 2 ) / r v /r = Bq / m = constant.(1) The time taken to describe a semi-circle t = π r / v (2) Substituting equation (1) in (2), t = π m/ Bq. (3) It is clear from equation (3) that the time taken by the ion to describe a semi-circle is independent of (i) the radius (r) of the path and (ii) the velocity ( v) of the particle Hence, period of rotation T = 2t T = 2 π m / Bq = constant.(4) So, in a uniform magnetic field, the ion traverses all the circles in exactly the same time.

The cyclotron was one of the earliest types of particle accelerators, and is still used as the first stage of some large multi-stage particle accelerators.

Cyclotron Working Video

The frequency of rotation of the particle, v = 1 /T = Bq / 2 πm. (5) If the high frequency oscillator is adjusted to produce oscillations of frequency as given in equation (5), resonance occurs. Cyclotron is used to accelerate protons, deutrons and α - particles.