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Build Your Own Cyclotron

Posted by michael on from the popcorn-not-included dept.

mindpixel writes "Physics Today is running a story about Tim Koeth's 12 inch cyclotron. Here's a quote that says it all: 'I was sitting in Tom Devlin's modern physics lecture. He described the principle of the cyclotron. He said it required a lot of RF power. I was--and am--a ham radio operator, so RF was no problem. It needed a big magnet; I knew I could find one of those. How tough could a vacuum system and chamber be?'"

9 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. Sounds dangerous by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've seen Battlestar Galactica. First you build one, then it tries to kill you!

    1. Re:Sounds dangerous by Aardpig · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'd be hammering away every waking moment in my metal shop!

      You missed the 'n' before the 'k'.

      --
      Tubal-Cain smokes the white owl.
    2. Re:Sounds dangerous by Grey+Tomorrow · · Score: 4, Funny

      Sorry, the thread talking about the dangerous addictive nature of porn is one article over.

  2. Interesting.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I see "12 inch" and "vacuum" in the same story.

    Is /. posting spam now?

  3. "The magnet came to us ugly," by Timesprout · · Score: 4, Funny

    I fucking hate ugly magnets because I still find them almost as attractive as the cute ones.

    --
    Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
    What truth?
    There is no dupe
  4. Be careful with those Gamma Rays by Hulkster · · Score: 3, Funny

    I too was a mild-mannered scientist, until I was hit with an accidental dose of Gamma Rays and turned in The Incredible Hulk ... so Tim should be careful.

  5. Venkman... by Short+Circuit · · Score: 4, Funny


    Why worry? Each one of us is carrying an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back.
    </Venkman>

    Just seemed appropriate...

    --
    tasks(723) drafts(105) languages(484) examples(29106)
  6. Re:Next can some enterprising physics student do.. by Alien+Being · · Score: 3, Funny

    Miles Monroe: Perform sex? Uh, uh, I don't think I'm up to a performance, but I'll rehearse with you, if you like.

    Luna Schlosser: Okay. I just thought you might want to; they have a machine here.

    Miles Monroe: Machine? I'm not getting into that thing. I, I'm strictly a hand operator; you know, I, I... I don't like anything with moving parts that are not my own.

  7. Most everyone claims to have a 12" cyclotron... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...when most cyclotrons are only around 5.5 inches.