Penning trap

noun

A device for the storage of charged particles using a homogeneous static magnetic field and a spatially inhomogeneous static electric field.

“Penning traps can be used to store antiprotons.”

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Meanings

nounPenning trap (plural Penning traps)

plural Penning traps

  1. A device for the storage of charged particles using a homogeneous static magnetic field and a spatially inhomogeneous static electric field.

    Penning traps can be used to store antiprotons.

Origin

Named after Frans Michel Penning (1894–1953), Dutch physicist.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Penning trap. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Penning%20trap

MLA

“Penning trap.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Penning%20trap. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Penning trap,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Penning%20trap.

Source: Penning trap on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.