# Can the cyclotron radiation be called a Bremsstrahlung process?

The term 'bremsstrahlung' is usually reserved for the emission of electromagnetic radiation caused by $$(1)$$ acceleration or deceleration of the charged particle by an electric field and $$(2)$$ in presence of matter/medium. See section $$8.8$$ of the book Quantum Field Theory by Mandl and Shaw, and section 11.5.3 of Perkins's Introduction to High Energy Physics.

On the contrary, in a cyclotron-like device, during most of its path, a charged particle is subjected to a centripetal acceleration $$(1)$$ caused by a magnetic field and takes place $$(2)$$ in a vacuum or near-vacuum situation. In this case, the total radiated power is also given by the classical Larmor formula. See this post and the answer by G. Smith.

Therefore, cyclotron emission does not qualify to be a bremsstrahlung process if I adhere to the strict definition above. However, if I'm not mistaken, the answer here by @JohnRennie, suggests to me that cyclotron radiation is also bremsstrahlung. Let me quote that for quick reference:

"Whenever you accelerate a charged particle it emits EM radiation known as Bremsstrahlung, and obviously charged particles moving in a circle are accelerating (towards the centre). This means that any circular collider emits a continual stream of Bremsstrahlung radiation."

Question Does John Rennie's answer (linked above) uses a broader definition of bremsstrahlung to include radiation by charged particles accelerated by magnetic fields in a vacuum and calculable by classical Larmor formula?

• The understanding of bremsstrahlung that you call "strict definition" is not relativistically invariant. That alone should be enough to disqualify it. Sep 26 '20 at 11:56
• @EmilioPisanty Fair enough. Thanks!
– SRS
Sep 26 '20 at 12:34