With reference to the Wakefield Accelerator, consider the following statements: 1. A Wakefield accelerator uses a plasma-based technique in which a strong plasma wave, generated by a laser pulse or particle beam, can accelerate charged particles over much shorter distances than conventional radio-frequency accelerators. 2. Unlike conventional accelerators, a Wakefield accelerator accelerates particles primarily through magnetic fields rather than through electric fields associated with plasma waves. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? |ForumIAS

Q. With reference to the Wakefield Accelerator, consider the following statements:
1.A Wakefield accelerator uses a plasma-based technique in which a strong plasma wave, generated by a laser pulse or particle beam, can accelerate charged particles over much shorter distances than conventional radio-frequency accelerators.
2.Unlike conventional accelerators, a Wakefield accelerator accelerates particles primarily through magnetic fields rather than through electric fields associated with plasma waves.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[A] 1 only

[B] 2 only

[C] Both 1 and 2

[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Notes:

Explanation: 1 only

Statement 1 is correct: Wakefield acceleration is a technique in which a high-energy laser pulse or particle beam travels through plasma and creates a strong plasma wave (“wake”). Charged particles can then be accelerated by the extremely strong electric fields associated with this wake, potentially reducing accelerator length substantially.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The principal accelerating force comes from the electric field of the plasma wake, not primarily from magnetic fields.

Source: TH

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