The Acceleration of Electrons by Magnetic Induction

Apparatus with which electrons have been accelerated to an energy of 2.3 Mev by means of the electric field accompanying a changing magnetic field is described. Stable circular orbits are formed in a magnetic field, and the changing flux within the orbits accelerates the electrons. As the magnetic field reaches its peak value, saturation of the iron supplying flux through the orbit causes the electrons to spiral inward toward a tungsten target. The x-rays produced have an intensity approximately equal to that of the gamma-rays from one gram of radium; and, because of the tendency of the x-rays to proceed in the direction of the electrons, a pronounced beam is formed