What is the most efficient way to produce charged particles?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the most efficient methods for producing charged particles, such as protons, electrons, and ions. Participants explore various approaches, including thermionic emission and electromagnetic showers, while clarifying the distinction between creating new particles and utilizing existing ones.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that electromagnetic showers, involving high-energy electrons hitting a target, could be an efficient way to produce charged particles.
  • Others argue that if the goal is simply to have charged particles, existing particles can be utilized, such as releasing electrons from a heated wire.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the creation of new particles and seeks clarification on whether heating a wire can indeed produce electrons.
  • Thermionic emission is mentioned as a method for producing electrons, with a reference to its historical use in CRT screens.
  • Another participant questions the role of lasers, stating that they produce coherent light rather than particles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the most efficient method for producing charged particles, with multiple competing views and ongoing questions about the processes involved.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the efficiency of different methods and the conditions under which charged particles can be produced. The discussion also reflects uncertainty about the distinction between creating new particles and utilizing existing ones.

physior
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hello!

what is the most efficient way to produce charged particles?
like protons (H+) or electrons or ions or anything like that

thanks!
 
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Do you want to really make new particles? Then electromagnetic showers should be the most efficient way - high-energetic electrons that hit a target. If you don't catch them, the newly created positrons will quickly annihilate with electrons again and you did not gain anything.
But where is the point? If you just want charged particles somewhere, it is sufficient to use existing ones, e. g. release electrons from a solid. This can be done by heating a wire.
 
no, I don't want to create new particles (can we create matter? not sure)
I just want to "produce" charged particles, yes, if heating a wire will give me electrons, that's what I need
but are you sure by heating a wire I can get electrons? how exactly?
 
physior said:
no, I don't want to create new particles (can we create matter? not sure)
Yes we can, but only in tiny amounts.

I just want to "produce" charged particles, yes, if heating a wire will give me electrons, that's what I need
but are you sure by heating a wire I can get electrons? how exactly?
Thermionic emission -. nearly every old screen (CRT) used that before flat screens became popular.
 
physior said:
this is what I am trying to find out, the most efficient way to create ions, protons, etc

Lasers don't produce particles. They produce coherent light.
 
The original question has been answered, so this thread is closed.

I've removed a long digression.
 
Nugatory said:
The original question has been answered, so this thread is closed.

I've removed a long digression.

not yet it isn't ;)

D
 
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davenn said:
not yet it isn't ;)

Oops :)
Ok, let's try that again :):)
 
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