Working of a cyclotron

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BxyqFK2KRI&feature=related Why does it produce a spiral pathway and not a circular one? The perpendicular magnetic field (passing vertically through the "D" electrodes), combined with the increasing energy of the particles forces the particles to travel in a spiral path.

The cyclotron can also be used to make the charged particle rotate in continous circles. This principle is used for storing anti-matter. IntroIn a cyclotron the particles move around in a circle due to a magnetic field. The radius of this circle depends on the velocity of the particles. However note that if the speed is too close to the speed of light, relativistic effects will take place and the mass will change, therefore we will have to add relativistic formulas to calculate radius taken.

Function of the Dees?

When the particles enter one half of the cyclotron, they are pulled back to the other half. When they reach the other half, the current switches over, and they are pulled back to the first half. All the time, the magnetic field keeps them moving in circles. As they gain energy from the electric field, the radii of their orbits increase, and their velocities increase, until the radius is as large as the cyclotron.