I Linear Accelerator Length Contraction

Orthoceras
Messages
125
Reaction score
48
TL;DR Summary
Effect of relativistic length contraction on the electron bunches in a linear accelerator?
I am trying to understand the effect of relativistic length contraction on the electron bunches in a linear accelerator. Figure B is for nonrelativistic speeds, successive cylinder lengths are progressively longer. However, wikipedia says "At speeds near the speed of light, the incremental velocity increase will be small, with the energy appearing as an increase in the mass of the particles. In portions of the accelerator where this occurs, the tubular electrode lengths will be almost constant", so it should figure D or E. I expect length contraction to occur, therefore D. However, I don't see why the the gap between bunches does not contract.

Which option is right?

linac5.png

Red: electron bunches; grey: cylinders
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Orthoceras said:
Summary:: Effect of relativistic length contraction on the electron bunches in a linear accelerator?

However, I don't see why the the gap between bunches does not contract.
This has to do with how the acceleration is performed. The gap is not a rigid object (not that rigid objects exist in relativity) that maintains the same rest length. The setup is such that the distance between bunches in the instantaneous rest frame of a bunch increases during the process.
 
Thread 'Can this experiment break Lorentz symmetry?'
1. The Big Idea: According to Einstein’s relativity, all motion is relative. You can’t tell if you’re moving at a constant velocity without looking outside. But what if there is a universal “rest frame” (like the old idea of the “ether”)? This experiment tries to find out by looking for tiny, directional differences in how objects move inside a sealed box. 2. How It Works: The Two-Stage Process Imagine a perfectly isolated spacecraft (our lab) moving through space at some unknown speed V...
Does the speed of light change in a gravitational field depending on whether the direction of travel is parallel to the field, or perpendicular to the field? And is it the same in both directions at each orientation? This question could be answered experimentally to some degree of accuracy. Experiment design: Place two identical clocks A and B on the circumference of a wheel at opposite ends of the diameter of length L. The wheel is positioned upright, i.e., perpendicular to the ground...
According to the General Theory of Relativity, time does not pass on a black hole, which means that processes they don't work either. As the object becomes heavier, the speed of matter falling on it for an observer on Earth will first increase, and then slow down, due to the effect of time dilation. And then it will stop altogether. As a result, we will not get a black hole, since the critical mass will not be reached. Although the object will continue to attract matter, it will not be a...

Similar threads

Back
Top