Question

What is Cherenkov radiation?

Answer 1

Cherenkov radiation, light produced by charged particles when they pass through an optically transparent medium at speeds greater than the speed of light in that medium. Devices sensitive to this particular form of radiation, called Cherenkov detectors, have been used extensively to detect the presence of charged subatomic particles moving at high velocities.

Answer 2

Animation of Cherenkov radiationCherenkov radiation, also known asVavilov–Cherenkov radiation[a](VCR) (named afterSergeyVavilovandPavel Cherenkov), iselectromagnetic radiationemitted when acharged particle(such as anelectron) passes through adielectricmedium at aspeedgreater than thephase velocityoflightin that medium. The characteristic blue glow of an underwaternuclearreactoris due to Cherenkov radiation. It is named afterSovietscientist Pavel Cherenkov, the 1958Nobel Prizewinner who was the first to detect it experimentally.[1]A theory of this effect was laterdeveloped within the framework ofEinstein'sspecial relativitytheory byIgor TammandIlya Frank, who also shared the Nobel Prize. Cherenkov radiation had been theoretically predicted by theEnglishpolymathOliver Heavisidein papers published in 1888–89