Can Particles Like Light Be Accelerated in a Particle Accelerator?

[CardboardBox]

Is it possible to accelerate particles like light in some type of particle accelerator?
if it is possible why?
if it's not why not?

 

[Doc Al]

Massless particles such as photons always travel at speed c.

 

[CardboardBox]

Ok you say that but what is the reason they travel at c namely the constant of light?
Is there a reason?
Or not?

 

[phinds]

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=36548

 

[sardar]

Yes, it is possible to accelerate particles like light in a particle accelerator. Particle accelerators use electromagnetic fields to accelerate particles, including photons (particles of light). This is achieved by passing the particles through a series of alternating electric and magnetic fields, which give them a push in the desired direction.

The reason why this is possible is because photons, despite having no mass, still carry energy and momentum. This energy and momentum can be manipulated and increased through the use of electromagnetic fields in a particle accelerator.

However, it should be noted that the acceleration of light in a particle accelerator is not the same as the acceleration of massive particles. Due to the fact that photons have no mass, they cannot reach speeds close to the speed of light (which is the maximum speed limit in the universe). Therefore, the acceleration of photons in a particle accelerator is limited to increasing their energy and momentum, rather than their velocity.

In summary, while it is possible to accelerate particles like light in a particle accelerator, the process is different from the acceleration of massive particles due to the unique properties of photons.