Physicists who uncovered the first particle accelerator were honored with a Nobel Prize 75 years ago
While scientists are known for their dedication to their research, crawling on the floor to avoid electrocution for the sake of a measurement seems a little excessive. But this is what British physicist John Cockcroft and Irish physicist Ernest T.S. Walton had to do in the early 1930s while studying the structure of atomic nuclei. Luckily, their efforts led to their receiving the Nobel Prize in…
British physicist John Cockcroft and Irish physicist Ernest T.S. Walton achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the early 1930s with the creation of the first particle accelerator. Their work at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge revolutionized our understanding of atomic nuclei and laid the foundation for numerous advancements in physics, medicine, and even art research over the past 75 years.
At the time, scientists were only beginning to explore the intricate world within atoms, which consist of a dense nucleus surrounded by electrons. Previous research had already demonstrated that radioactive materials could emit particles, altering the makeup of their atomic nuclei. When energetic particles collided with atomic nuclei, they could trigger reactions that rearranged protons and neutrons, sometimes transforming one element into another.
Cockcroft and Walton hypothesized that they could simulate these collisions using particles accelerated by a machine, rather than relying on radioactive decays, which possessed limited energy and intensity. With the guidance of Nobel laureate Ernest Rutherford, they developed the first device capable of deliberately accelerating hydrogen atoms, consisting of single protons, to high energies.
The high-voltage system they constructed could generate up to 800,000 volts, equivalent to more than 500,000 AA batteries. Although modest compared to modern accelerators, Cockcroft and Walton's design was a crucial step in the development of modern particle accelerators. Today, these machines are used to investigate the shapes and sizes of atomic nuclei by directing streams of particles, such as protons or electrons, onto target materials and studying the resulting collisions.
Cockcroft and Walton's pioneering work led to numerous physics breakthroughs, most notably in the realm of nuclear physics. Their invention of the particle accelerator enabled scientists to probe and manipulate atomic nuclei, paving the way for a wide array of applications. From discovering new subatomic particles to developing treatments for diseases, the impact of Cockcroft and Walton's innovation is evident across various fields, including medicine, nuclear research, and even art research.
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