- #1
spacetime
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How are neutral elementary particles accelerated? Is it actually practical as of yet, or is there a way we can do so in the future?
Can Neutral Particles be Accelerated by Polarization and External Fields?
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In summary, there are currently two ways to accelerate neutral elementary particles - either by accelerating negatively ionized hydrogen atoms and then stripping off the extra electrons, or by accelerating a proton beam and adding electrons when it reaches high speed. However, these methods are not widely used or practical. There are also theoretical possibilities for accelerating neutral molecules and atoms using polarized electric and magnetic fields, such as orthogonal laser beams. It is unclear what the purpose of accelerating neutral particles would be.
- #2
Danger
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The two ways that I've run across are to accelerate negatively ionized hydrogen atoms and then pass them through rarified gas to strip off the extra electrons, or to accelerate a proton beam and add electrons when it's up to speed. I don't know how widespread or even practical they are. (Or are those particles less 'elementary' than you meant?)
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Don't we have some discussion about something similar already?
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=90734
Zz.
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=90734
Zz.
- #4
Astronuc
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The process described by Danger is the basis of 'neutral beam' injection, which is the process of accelerating ions to some energy then neutralizing them - but that is a neutral atom - not an elementary particle.
Basically, one does not accelerate a neutral particle.
Neutrons can be ejected from nuclei, either by interaction with a gamma photon of sufficient energy, or by bombardment with a proton, deuteron, alpha particle or other particle. The heavier the projectile particle (which also means increased nuclear charge, Z), the more energy input is required to assure a nuclear reaction, and this would become generally impractical for obtaining neutrons. The D+T fusion reaction produces neutrons of 14.1 MeV.
High energy collisions of particles can be used to produce neutral particles, but they will also produce charged particles as well.
Annihilation of particles e+e- and p[itex]\bar{p}[/itex] can also produce energetic neutral particles, as well as charge particles.
Basically, one does not accelerate a neutral particle.
Neutrons can be ejected from nuclei, either by interaction with a gamma photon of sufficient energy, or by bombardment with a proton, deuteron, alpha particle or other particle. The heavier the projectile particle (which also means increased nuclear charge, Z), the more energy input is required to assure a nuclear reaction, and this would become generally impractical for obtaining neutrons. The D+T fusion reaction produces neutrons of 14.1 MeV.
High energy collisions of particles can be used to produce neutral particles, but they will also produce charged particles as well.
Annihilation of particles e+e- and p[itex]\bar{p}[/itex] can also produce energetic neutral particles, as well as charge particles.
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- #5
Alex Barri
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sure,
to acceleratee neutral elemental particulares is almost unresolved problem. However there is THEORETICAL (not practical) posibilities to accelerate neutral molecules and atoms. Idea is the next. Neutral molecules and atoms are polarized in external electric field. In external magnetic field there is Lorentz force, which influence on moving charges. This is the way how to transform "electric energy" into kinetic (please see attachment). Sure, if direction of current (moving of charges) is changing, directiion of magnetic field is changing also.
Probably, we can use orthogonal laser beems as sources of magnetic and electric fields.
But I don't understand, what task to accelerate neutral particules, molecules, atoms or even neutrons?
to acceleratee neutral elemental particulares is almost unresolved problem. However there is THEORETICAL (not practical) posibilities to accelerate neutral molecules and atoms. Idea is the next. Neutral molecules and atoms are polarized in external electric field. In external magnetic field there is Lorentz force, which influence on moving charges. This is the way how to transform "electric energy" into kinetic (please see attachment). Sure, if direction of current (moving of charges) is changing, directiion of magnetic field is changing also.
Probably, we can use orthogonal laser beems as sources of magnetic and electric fields.
But I don't understand, what task to accelerate neutral particules, molecules, atoms or even neutrons?
Attachments
1. What is neutral particle acceleration?
Neutral particle acceleration is the process of increasing the kinetic energy of neutral particles, such as atoms or molecules, to high speeds using an external force. This is usually done in a particle accelerator, where the particles are propelled by electric and/or magnetic fields.
2. How does neutral particle acceleration work?
Neutral particle acceleration works by using electric and/or magnetic fields to accelerate the particles. The particles are first injected into the accelerator and then guided through a series of accelerating structures, where they gain energy. The particles are then focused and collimated to produce a beam of high-energy particles.
3. What are the applications of neutral particle acceleration?
Neutral particle acceleration has many applications in scientific research, including studying the properties of matter, creating new materials, and understanding the fundamental forces of nature. It also has practical applications in fields such as medicine, where it is used in cancer therapy, and industry, where it is used in materials processing.
4. What are the different types of neutral particle accelerators?
There are several types of neutral particle accelerators, including linear accelerators, circular accelerators, and cyclotrons. Linear accelerators accelerate particles in a straight line, while circular accelerators use a circular path. Cyclotrons use a combination of electric and magnetic fields to accelerate particles in a circular path.
5. What are the challenges in neutral particle acceleration?
One of the main challenges in neutral particle acceleration is achieving high enough energies for the particles to be useful in research or applications. This requires precise control of the electric and magnetic fields, as well as the ability to maintain the stability of the particle beam. Another challenge is minimizing the loss of particles due to collisions with the accelerator components, which can affect the quality of the final beam.
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