What is "beamline"

n. (context physics English) The line traveled by a particle beam in an accelerator

In accelerator physics, a beamline refers to the trajectory of the beam of accelerated particles, including the overall construction of the path segment (vacuum tube, magnets, diagnostic devices) along a specific path of an accelerator facility. This part is either

• the line in a linear accelerator along which a beam of particles travels, or
• the path leading from a cyclic accelerator to the experimental endstation (as in synchrotron light sources or cyclotrons).

Beamlines usually end in experimental stations that utilize particle beams or synchrotron light obtained from a synchrotron, or neutrons from a spallation source or research reactor. Beamlines are used in experiments in particle physics, materials science, chemistry, and molecular biology.