Pelletron is an electrostatic particle accelerator similar to a Van de Graaff generator, which is able to reach several million electron-volts (MeV) of kinetic energy. The generation of electric charge is accomplished by a mechanical transportation system composed by a chain of pellets (short conductive rods embedded in links made of insulating materia)l, that is used to build-up high voltages in a remote terminal. The system is enclosed by a pressure vessel filled with isolating gas, such as SF₆ (sulfur hexafluoride), and an evacuated beamline. The voltage gradient between the terminal and ground potential is used to accelerate several kinds of particles, such as positrons, electrons and positive ions.

In comparison to the Van de Graaff genarator, the pellet chain can be operated at a higher velocity than a rubber belt, the use of vacuum in the pressure vessel allows for attaining higher electric potentials without sparking, and both the voltage and currents that can be attained are much higher.

External link

• The Pelletron. Max-Planck Institut für Metallforschung, Stuttgart, Germany.