After a historical consideration of the types and evolution of accelerators the physics of particle beams is provided in detail. Topics dealt with comprise linear and nonlinear beam dynamics, collective phenomena in beams, and interactions of beams with the surroundings. The design and principles of synchrotrons, circular and linear colliders, and of linear accelerators are discussed next. Also technological aspects of accelerators (magnets, RF cavities, cryogenics, power supply, vacuum, beam instrumentation, injection and extraction) are reviewed, as well as accelerator operation...

Rather than focusing on the contributions of theoretical physicists to the understanding of the subatomic world and of the beginning of the universe - as most popular science books on particle physics do - this book is different in that, firstly, the main focus is on machine inventors and builders and, secondly, particle accelerators are not only described as discovery tools but also for their contributions to tumour diagnosis and therapy. The characters of well-known (e.g. Ernest Lawrence) and mostly unknown actors (e.g. Nicholas Christofilos) are outlined, including many colourful...