Cherenkov Radiation

Compiled by Alexis Jacob (ajacob30)

Cherenkov Radiation, discovered by Soviet Scientist Pavel Cherenkov, is a fascinating phenomena that occurs when charges move faster than light through an optically transparent medium. One commonly recognized example of Cherenkov Radiation is in nuclear reactors which have a characteristic blue glow as a result.

The Main Idea

The blue radiation in nuclear reactors occurs when electrons from the reactor travel at speeds greater than light in the water surrounding the reactor. The charged and highly energetic particle then displaces electrons in the water; the electromagnetic radiation emitted as electrons are displaced results in a weak bluish glow.

Electric Field of Capacitor

A Mathematical Model

For Cherenkov radiation to occur, the minimum threshold energy for an electron to radiate in water is 260keV.

A Computational Model

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