13.3 Artificial transmutation and particle accelerators
4 min read•july 31, 2024
and particle accelerators are game-changers in nuclear physics. They let us turn elements into others, make new ones, and study the building blocks of matter. It's like alchemy, but with science!
These tools help us fight cancer, make clean energy, and unlock the secrets of the universe. From medical imaging to creating superheavy elements, they're pushing the boundaries of what we can do with atoms.
Artificial Transmutation
Process and Historical Context
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Artificial transmutation changes one element into another through nuclear reactions induced by particle bombardment
achieved the first artificial transmutation in 1919
Transformed nitrogen into oxygen by bombarding nitrogen atoms with
Process overcomes the Coulomb barrier between nuclei to initiate nuclear reactions
Requires high-energy particles to overcome electrostatic repulsion between positively charged nuclei
Applications in Nuclear Physics and Medicine
Produces radioisotopes for medical diagnostics and treatments
Technetium-99m used for medical imaging (bone scans, cardiac stress tests)
Iodine-131 utilized in thyroid cancer treatment
Creates new elements, particularly superheavy elements not found in nature
Expands understanding of nuclear physics and the periodic table
Examples include nihonium (element 113) and oganesson (element 118)
Plays crucial role in nuclear energy production
Creates fissile materials (plutonium-239 from uranium-238)
Manages nuclear waste through transmutation of long-lived radioactive
Essential for studying nuclear structure and fundamental particle interactions
Provides insights into decay processes (alpha decay, beta decay)
Contributes to understanding of universe's composition (nucleosynthesis in stars)
Particle Accelerators in Transmutation
Fundamental Principles
Use electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to high speeds and energies
Acceleration based on Lorentz force
Describes force experienced by charged particles in electromagnetic fields
F=q(E+v×B)
F = force, q = charge, E = electric field, v = velocity, B = magnetic field
Utilize electric fields to increase particle energy
Employ magnetic fields to control beam direction and focus
Key Components and Techniques
Radio-frequency (RF) cavities synchronize accelerating electric fields with particle motion
Enables continuous acceleration of particles
Vacuum systems minimize particle collisions with air molecules
Increases mean free path of accelerated particles
Beam focusing elements (quadrupole magnets) maintain narrow particle beam
Cooling systems manage heat generated by acceleration process
Examples include liquid helium for superconducting magnets
Role in Artificial Transmutation
Provide high-energy particles necessary to initiate nuclear reactions
Allow transformation of target nuclei into different elements or isotopes
Energy and type of accelerated particles determine transmutation reactions
Influences products and efficiency of the process
Enable precise control over particle energy and beam intensity
Allows systematic studies of nuclear reactions across wide range of elements
Types of Particle Accelerators
Linear and Circular Accelerators
Linear accelerators (linacs) use straight-line arrangement of accelerating structures
Suitable for applications requiring pulsed beams or initial acceleration stages
Examples include SLAC at Stanford University, LINAC4 at CERN
Cyclotrons utilize spiral path and constant magnetic field
Commonly used for producing medical isotopes and in radiation therapy
Examples include cyclotrons at TRIUMF in Canada, PSI in Switzerland
Synchrotrons employ circular ring with varying magnetic fields
Maintain constant orbit radius as particles accelerate
Ideal for high-energy physics experiments and advanced light sources
Examples include Large Hadron Collider at CERN, Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory
Specialized Accelerators
Tandem Van de Graaff accelerators use electrostatic fields to accelerate particles twice
Particularly useful for accelerating heavy ions in nuclear physics research
Examples include ATLAS at Argonne National Laboratory
Fixed-field alternating gradient (FFAG) accelerators combine features of cyclotrons and synchrotrons
Offer rapid acceleration cycles for applications like proton therapy
Examples include EMMA at Daresbury Laboratory, UK
Storage rings maintain high-energy particle beams for extended periods
Crucial for collider experiments in particle physics
Examples include Tevatron at Fermilab (decommissioned), RHIC at Brookhaven National Laboratory
Spallation neutron sources use high-energy proton accelerators to produce neutrons
Essential for materials science and neutron scattering experiments
Examples include SNS at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ISIS at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory