alphatronn.
/ˈalfətrɒn/, U.S. /ˈælfəˌtrɑn/ Physics.
1. A proposed name for: a cyclotron. rare. disused.
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the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > particle accelerator > [noun] > types of > cyclotron
cyclotron1935
magnetic resonance accelerator1935
alphatron1942
1942 Science 23 Jan. 8/1 This distinction is emphasized in the name betatron... In the same way the name ‘alphatron’ might be given to the cyclotron because ‘alpha rays’ was the name given to the heavy particle radiation from radium.
2. An ionization gauge in which the passage of alpha particles through a near-vacuum generates an ionization current by means of which the pressure of the residual gas may be measured. Frequently attributive. Now historical.
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the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > ion > ionization > [noun] > measuring instrument
ionization gauge1918
ion gauge1938
alphatron1946
1946 Science 1 Mar. 277/2 The Alphatron Vacuum Gauge..measures pressure of any gas or mixture from 0–10 mm. of Hg.
1962 F. I. Ordway et al. Basic Astronautics v. 200 Pirani, alphatron, and bellows gauges are regularly employed in rockets.
1976 A. Roth Vacuum Technol. vi. 316 The Alphatron gauge utilizes a small source of alpha particles (e.g. a gold-radium alloy).
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1942