The M.I.T. Linear Electron Accelerator

Abstract

The M.I.T. linear electron accelerator consists of a circular wave guide fitted with uniformly spaced irises, and sustains a standing-wave, transverse magnetic π-mode oscillation at a resonant frequency of 2800 Mc/sec. The phase velocity is equal to the velocity of light. Electrons are injected into the accelerating tube at an energy of 2 Mev by a standard Van de Graaff generator. Acceleration up to an energy of at least 18 Mev has been obtained, using the 21-foot length of the accelerator. Peak accelerated currents of the order of 10 ma, and average currents of the order of 1 μa, are obtained. The accelerator is fed by 21 tunable magnetrons (Raytheon RK5586), phased in synchronism. In this paper, the principles of design, constructional features, and operation are discussed. The accelerator is now being used for nuclear experimentation.