The legacy of Liverpool's forgotten synchrocyclotron
The University of Liverpool's synchrocyclotron, operational from 1954 to 1968, was a pioneering particle accelerator designed by James Chadwick. It advanced particle physics through intense particle beams and innovative design.
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The University of Liverpool's synchrocyclotron, operational from 1954 to 1968, was a significant particle accelerator that accelerated particles to relativistic speeds for experiments in particle and nuclear physics. Designed by James Chadwick, the machine paved the way for future accelerators by allowing researchers to extract intense particle beams for experiments. Despite its obscurity today, the synchrocyclotron played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of particle behavior. The construction of this accelerator in post-war Liverpool was a remarkable feat, with significant government funding allocated for its development. The machine's location beneath the Metropolitan Catholic Cathedral, partially buried for radiation shielding, symbolizes its historical importance. Although Chadwick did not directly use the synchrocyclotron due to his move to Cambridge, his contributions to establishing Liverpool as a center for nuclear research were invaluable. The synchrocyclotron's innovative design overcame the limitations of conventional cyclotrons by continuously adjusting the RF electric field to accelerate particles to near-light speeds. This technology marked a significant advancement in accelerator capabilities and contributed to groundbreaking discoveries in physics.
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7 commentsIIR, close US/UK cooperation on nuclear research ended when WWII did, and the UK found itself recast as a junior bottle-washer. There likely was a whole lot of national pride behind that budgetary decision.
Edit - here's the history:
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/the-early-years-of-britains-...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_the_Irish_Saved_Civilizati...
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