Meanings
nounsurfatron (plural surfatrons)
plural surfatrons
- An electron accelerator that works on the principle of plasma acceleration.
The discharge is obtained with a surfatron at 915 MHz in a fused silica or alumina tube at a maximum power of 700 W.
1999, M. Moisa, J. Hubert, J. Margot, Z. Zakrzewski, “The Development and Use of Surface-Wave Sustained Discharges for Applications”, in H Schlüter, A. Shivarova, editors, Advanced Technologies Based on Wave and Beam Generated Plasmas, page 51
Origin
From surf + -tron, from the observation that the device causes an electron to ride wave crests of electric field to pick up speed as a surfer rides ocean wave crests.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
APA
surfatron. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/surfatron
MLA
“surfatron.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/surfatron. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “surfatron,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/surfatron.
Source: surfatron on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.