Quadrupole
In space and astronautical engineering, a quadrupole is a type of electric or magnetic field configuration that is used to focus and steer charged particles, such as ions or electrons. It consists of four poles, two of which have a positive charge and two of which have a negative charge. The poles are arranged in a square or rectangular pattern, with the positive poles diagonally opposite each other and the negative poles diagonally opposite each other. When a charged particle enters the quadrupole, it experiences a force that depends on its position and velocity relative to the poles. By adjusting the strength and orientation of the electric or magnetic fields, the quadrupole can be used to manipulate the trajectory of the particle, either to focus it onto a target or to deflect it away from sensitive equipment.
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