Page "Linear particle accelerator" Paragraph 6

* The particle source.

The design of the source depends on the particle that is being moved.

Electrons are generated by a cold cathode, a hot cathode, a photocathode, or radio frequency ( RF ) ion sources.

Protons are generated in an ion source, which can have many different designs.

If heavier particles are to be accelerated, ( e. g. uranium ions ), a specialized ion source is needed.