# Accelerator

Accelerator may refer to:

## In science and technology
### In computing

* Download accelerator, or download manager, software dedicated to downloading
* Hardware acceleration, the use of dedicated hardware to perform functions faster than a CPU
** Graphics processing unit or graphics accelerator, a dedicated graphics-rendering device
*** Accelerator (library), a library that allows the coding of programs for a graphics processing unit
** Cryptographic accelerator, performs decrypting/encrypting
* Web accelerator, a proxy server that speeds web-site access
* Accelerator (Internet Explorer), a form of selection-based search
* Accelerator table, specifies keyboard shortcuts for commands
* Apple II accelerators, hardware devices designed to speed up an Apple II computer
* PHP accelerator, speeds up software applications written in the PHP programming language
* SAP BI Accelerator, speeds up online analytical processing queries
* SSL/TLS accelerator, offloads public-key encryption algorithms to a hardware accelerator
* TCP accelerator, intermediate communications processor
* Keyboard shortcut, a set of key presses that invoke a software or operating system operation
* Accelerator or AFU (Accelerator Function Unit): a component of IBM's Coherent Accelerator Processor Interface (CAPI)

### In physics and chemistry

* Accelerator (chemistry), a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction
* Araldite accelerator 062, or Dimethylbenzylamine, an organic compound
* Cement accelerator, an admixture that speeds the cure time of concrete
* Particle accelerator, a device which uses electric and/or magnetic fields to propel charged particles to high speeds
** Accelerator-driven system (ADS), a nuclear reactor coupled to a particle accelerator
** Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), a form of mass spectrometry
* Tanning accelerator, chemicals that increase the effect of ultraviolet radiation on human skin
* Vulcanizing accelerators, chemical agents to speed the vulcanization of rubber

### Firearms

* .22 Accelerator or Remington Accelerator, a type of .224 caliber bullet
* Electricothermal accelerator, a weapon that uses a plasma discharge to accelerate its projectile
* Magnetic accelerator gun, a weapon that converts magnetic energy into kinetic energy for a projectile
* Ram accelerator, a device for accelerating projectiles using ramjet or scramjet combustion
* Produce accelerators, cannons which use air pressure or combustion to launch large projectiles at low speed

### Other technologies

* Accelerator, gas pedal or throttle, a foot pedal that controls the engine speed of an automobile
* Accelerator Coaster, a roller coaster that uses hydraulic acceleration

## In entertainment

* The Accelerators, US rock band
* Accelerator (Royal Trux album), their seventh studio album, released in 1998
* Accelerator (The Future Sound of London album), released in 1992
* "Accelerator", a 1993 single by Gumball
* "Accelerator", a song by band The O.A.O.T.'s, on their album Typical
* "Accelerator", a song by the band Primal Scream from their album XTRMNTR
* XLR8R (pronounced "accelerator"), a magazine and website that covers music, culture, style, and technology
* Accelerator (To Aru Majutsu No Index), a fictional character in the light novel series A Certain Magical Index and the protagonist and titular character of the manga series A Certain Scientific Accelerator
* Accelerator (Universal Studios Singapore), a whirling twirling ride that spins guests around
* PC Accelerator, a personal computer game magazine
* The Accelerators (comics), a comic book created by Ronnie Porto and Gavin Smith

## Other uses

* Accelerator pedal or gas pedal
* Seed- or startup-accelerator, an organization that offers advice and resources to help small businesses grow
* Accelerator effect, economic stimulus to private fixed investment due to growth in aggregate demand
* Saskatoon Accelerators, a professional soccer team based in Saskatoon, Canada
* Accelerationism, critical and social theory