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Glossary

Continuous Electron Beam

The most recent nuclear physics accelerator to become operational is the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News, Virginia. A diagram of the accelerator is shown. At this accelerator, an electron beam travels through several linacs. The accelerator uses superconducting radio-frequency technology to drive electrons to higher and higher energies with a minimum of electrical power. This accelerator produces a continuous electron beam to ensure that each electron interaction with a nucleus is separated enough in time so that the whole reaction can be measured.

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