Build a Cyclotron - Step-by-Step Guide for DIYers

[piknless]

I want to build a cyclotron. Not necessarily a big one, and just for fun. I have a crude blueprint from a wikipedia article, but seeing as I don't know where to begin, could someone help me break it down? here is a link of the one I want to make.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cyclotron_patent.png

of course, it probably won't be as successful as Michio Kaku's and I don't have a specific reason to build one other than to accelerate some particles, but I think it'll be fun. It sure beats reading books on the same topic. I mean heck books are nice, but who wouldn't want to make one?

 

[marcusl]

I don't mean to be discouraging, but if you have no clue how to start then you might want to pick a simpler project to begin building your skills. A cyclotron requires skills and experience in high voltage engineering, RF engineering, and high vacuum techniques at the minimum. Pick one to start on--say, build your own ham radio receiver to learn RF skills, followed by a high power (1kW) transmitter to learn high power RF and high voltage skills--and work your way up.

 

[QuarkCharmer]

You should probably begin by getting up to speed with the physics behind the device. At the very least, you will need to know about electromagnetism, the lorentz force, etc.

Both of these physics II lecture series go into these subjects, including talking about the cyclotron in moderate detail. However, they only address the ideal conditions on how such a device would operate, and I think you will find that it is much more complex than the "idea" itself.
http://oyc.yale.edu/physics

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-02-electricity-and-magnetism-spring-2002/video-lectures/

I really don't see how construction would be possible without a significant financial burden and much experience, as marcusl put it.

 

[chiro]

You might want to consider the radiation involved as well for a cyclotron and understand these issues even if you end up becoming technically able to build one.

 

[piknless]

Thank you all for your considerations. I will continue to study hard, and one day I will build a cyclotron. Though it probably won't be in the near future.