Definition: A particle accelerator is a scientific instrument which accelerates charged particles such as protons, electrons, deuterons. This acceleration is achieved by using focused magnetic fields to route the beam of particles through a sealed vacuum chamber. The exact design of the beam's path and magnetic configuration determines the type of particle accelerator - cyclotron, synchrotron, betatron, tandem electrostatic accelerators, etc.
Another definition, from Princeton University's WordNet, indicates that a particle accelerator is "a scientific instrument that increases the kinetic energy of charged particles." This definition makes clear an important aspect of why particle accelerators exist - to increase the kinetic energy of particles and, therefore, the kinetic energy transformed into other energy forms during the collisions of these particles.
Also Known As: accelerator, atom smasher, cyclotron, synchrotron, betatron, tandem electrostatic accelerator
Examples: Some of the major particle accelerators are those at FermiLab and CERN, including the new Large Hadron Collider, starting operation on September 10, 2008.
As an undergraduate, I performed a summer research internship at the particle accelerator at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility.
