Cherenkov radiation
Article
Cherenkov radiation is electromagnetic radiation emitted when a charged particle moves through a transparent medium faster than light can propagate in that medium. The particle does not exceed the speed of light in vacuum.
The moving charge polarises nearby molecules, and their return to equilibrium produces coherent radiation. The wavefronts combine into a cone analogous to the pressure cone of a sonic boom.
Cherenkov light often appears blue because the emission is stronger at shorter visible wavelengths and because water transmits blue light efficiently. The angle of the cone depends on particle speed and the refractive index of the medium.
The effect is used to detect high-energy particles in nuclear reactors, particle experiments, cosmic-ray observatories, and neutrino detectors. It also provides information about particle direction, velocity, and energy.
Source details and credits
- Source / publisher: Wikipedia
- URL type: WWW
- Credits: Wikipedia
- URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherenkov_radiation