This day in tech 1934- cyclotron invented by Ernest Lawrence

By Tony Long 02.20.08 | 12:00 AM

Dr. Ernest O. Lawrence, (below left), and his assistant, Donald Cooksey, prepare a cyclotron for for its final testing, in the radiation laboratory at the University of California,
Image: Hulton-Deutsch Collection / Corbis

1934: Ernest O. Lawrence patents his cyclotron.

Lawrence, a physicist, actually built a working model by 1931 but didn't rush to patent his invention, at least in part because -- according to a colleague -- he felt it unwise to foster the development of scientific discoveries for personal profit.

He would, however, be rewarded. Ernest Orlando Lawrence received the 1939 Nobel Prize in Physics for his invention of the cyclotron.

The cyclotron is one of the first circular particle accelerators, a device that moves charged protons between electrodes until they become highly charged particles. The circular configuration means the cyclotron can be relatively compact, a fact that became more important as bigger accelerators were needed.

Lawrence's first model was a complete lash-up, fashioned from wire, brass and sealing wax, but it worked. He applied 2,000 volts of electricity and was rewarded with 80,000-volt protons whirling around in his cyclotron.

When he finally received his patent, Lawrence assigned it to the Research Corporation.

Lawrence, whose name is practically synonymous with science on the University of California Berkeley campus, was originally lured to California with the promise of being able to work across disciplines, in this case chemistry. Cross-pollination was not commonly done in those days, especially at Yale, where he was teaching when Cal came a-courting.

A laboratory was established in his name at Berkeley, and it played a key role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Two laboratories -- Lawrence Berkeley and Lawrence Livermore -- and the element lawrencium (Lr) bear his name today.

(Source: Various)