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Preferred term

Cherenkov radiation  

Definition

  • Cherenkov radiation is electromagnetic radiation emitted when a charged particle (such as an electron) passes through a dielectric medium at a speed greater than the phase velocity (speed of propagation of a wavefront in a medium) of light in that medium. A classic example of Cherenkov radiation is the characteristic blue glow of an underwater nuclear reactor. Its cause is similar to the cause of a sonic boom, the sharp sound heard when faster-than-sound movement occurs. The phenomenon is named after Soviet physicist Pavel Cherenkov. (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherenkov_radiation)

Entry terms

  • Cerenkov radiation

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URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-HB8SMP9K-5

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