A possibility of decreasing the stress multiplicating factor of Van de Graaff accelerators

Electric field strengths have been evaluated at the surface of the hoops in the geometry of a Van de Graaff accelerator at different axial gradients. The calculations have shown the advantage of hoops with an oval profile, especially if the axis of the ellipse forming the hoop profile is inclined towards the stack axis about 150. The stress multiplicating factor of hoops of inclined oval profile is at least 10% less than in the case of a circular hoop profile. (orig.)