Proton source
The proton source of the LINAC2 , from which the protons of the proton synchrotron of the LHC originate
A proton source is an ion source for protons . It is based on the ionization of hydrogen gas .
This takes place in an electrical device that generates free electrons with the help of a hot cathode . These are focused by a negatively charged metal cylinder and then accelerated by a positively charged anode . In the so-called extraction chamber, when they meet the hydrogen atoms located there, the electrons knock out their shell electrons and leave positively charged protons behind, which can be fed into a particle accelerator for research or therapy purposes (see proton therapy ). This method is used, for example, at CERN and, combined with a Cockcroft-Walton accelerator , at Fermilab .
Individual evidence
- ↑ The Cockcroft-Walton on fnal.gov