How Do Carbon Ions Behave in a Tandem Accelerator?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the behavior of carbon ions in a tandem accelerator, specifically addressing the acceleration of negatively charged carbon ions to a positive potential of +3MV, leading to their conversion to positively charged ions after passing through an argon gas chamber. Key calculations include determining the velocity of carbon isotopes (C-12 and C-14) upon entering the argon chamber and exiting the accelerator, as well as calculating the path radius of these isotopes in a dipole magnet with a field strength of 1 Tesla. The differences in mass between the isotopes are attributed to the presence of additional neutrons in carbon-14.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of tandem accelerators and their operational principles
  • Familiarity with basic particle physics concepts, including charge and mass
  • Knowledge of relativistic equations, specifically p = γm₀v and Eₜₒₜ² = (pc)² + (mc²)²
  • Basic principles of mass spectrometry and isotope separation
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the velocity of charged particles in electric fields using energy conservation principles
  • Explore the effects of magnetic fields on charged particle trajectories in mass spectrometers
  • Investigate the differences in nuclear structure between carbon isotopes
  • Learn about non-relativistic versus relativistic approaches in particle physics calculations
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, particle physicists, and professionals involved in accelerator technology and mass spectrometry who seek to understand the dynamics of ion behavior in tandem accelerators.

Dreggovich
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Hi all I'm new to this forum, there seem to be quite some knowledge here. I hope someone can help shed some light on this. I took this exam about a week ago and I had no idea on how to solve this question, and I haven't been able to figure this one out since.

Homework Statement


In a tandem accelerator a negatively charged carbon ion is accelerated towards the positive potential (+3MV). In the middle of the accelerator there is a volume with Argon gas in which the carbon ion looses electrons and leaves with +3 charge. A similar potential difference on the other side of the argon chamber with the positive plate closest to the chamber on both sides. (I hope this is understandable).

a) Calculate the velocity of the negative ion when it reaches the argon chamber, also calculate the speed at which it leaves it leaves the accelerator (passing both acceleration zones). Do this calculation for both carbon 12 and 14.

b) The accelerator is followed by a magnet to separate the different carbon isotopes. The magnet is a dipole-magnet with the field strength of 1 Tesla orthogonal to the carbon ions path. What is the path radius for the two isotopes?

c) The mass spectrometer uses the different masses of the isotopes, why do the isotopes have different mass?


Homework Equations


I am at a loss here I'm sure I need to use the rest mass from the tables and I would be surprised if I'm not meant to use p=\gamma m_0 v and E_{tot}^2=(pc^2)+(mc^2)^2 for question a.
I'm obviously missing something.

For the second question I'm haven't gotten anywhere. I can't find anything remotely similar in the lecture notes. And the third one must be as simple as the extra neutrons in carbon 14.




The Attempt at a Solution



Im sorry I haven't gotten anywhere with this even though I've been trying for almost a week and I have never felt this dumb I was supposed to do this and 5 other questions of the same caliber in 5 hours and I have not been able to figure this one out in maybe 13 hours of trying with lecture notes and the internet at my disposal.
 
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Why don't you try a non-relativistic approach first, then check if the velocity is small enough compared to c ?

Working in MeV is quite comfortable in this case: a charge of one e accelerated over 3 MV picks up 3 MeV of kinetic energy etc etc.
 
Last edited:

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