A cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator that uses a magnetic field and electric fields to accelerate charged particles, such as protons or ions, to high speeds. It consists of two hollow, semicircular electrodes called dees, which are placed in a vacuum chamber. When a charged particle is injected into the cyclotron, it spirals outward as it gains energy from the alternating electric field. Cyclotrons are commonly used in medical applications, particularly in radiation therapy and nuclear medicine, to produce isotopes for imaging and treatment. They can also be used in research to study nuclear reactions and fundamental particles in physics.