surfatron

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

surf +‎ -tron, from the observation that the device causes an electron to ride wavecrests of electric field to pick up speed as a surfer rides ocean wavecrests.

Noun[edit]

surfatron (plural surfatrons)

  1. An electron accelerator that works on the principle of plasma acceleration.
    • 1999, M. Moisa, J. Hubert, J. Margot, Z. Zakrzewski, “The Development and Use of Surface-Wave Sustained Discharges for Applications”, in H Schlüter, A. Shivarova, editors, Advanced Technologies Based on Wave and Beam Generated Plasmas, page 51:
      The discharge is obtained with a surfatron at 915 MHz in a fused silica or alumina tube at a maximum power of 700 W.