Cerenkov radiation

From MariachiWiki

Written By Mike Lopez

Cerenkov radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that was first identified by Soviet scientist Pavel Alekseyevich Cherenkov in 1958. Cerenkov radiation is characterized by a unique "blue glow" that is often seen in nuclear reactors. Cerenkov radiation is observed when a charged particle passes through an insulator at a speed greater than the speed of light in that particular medium. When a charged particle enters an electromagnetic field it disrupts the field causing electrons from the atom in the given medium to become polarized from the electromagnetic field of the passing charged particle. After the electrons return back to their original energy levels they emit a photon. However the radiation occurs because the disruption caused from the charged particle actually travels faster than the photons themselves travel. Since the disruption is traveling faster the photons "stack up" and the "blue glow" light effect is observed.

Mariachi Use

Cerenkov radiation is one way to detect the occurrence of cosmic showers since these particle showers contain charged particles. When a charged particle from a cosmic shower crosses through the electromagnetic field of a detector, the charged particle will disrupt the equilibrium inside the insulated medium. The photons released will "stack up" and the "blue glow" will be observed indicating that cosmic showers are occurring.

References

Wikipedia contributors, "Cherenkov radiation," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cherenkov_radiation&oldid=139305844 (accessed June 25, 2007).