The paper opens with a brief review of the original discovery of the radiation and the physical principles of the process that gives rise to it. This is followed by an elementary account of the theory of the effect. A general survey of the practical applications to cosmic-ray and high-energy physics is then presented, with two examples of modern detectors discussed in greater detail. The article concludes with an account of recent experiments carried out on light pulses from the night-sky associated with cosmic-ray showers, found to be due to Cerenkov radiation in the atmosphere.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0508-3443/6/7/301/pdf

Cerenkov radiation and its applications

The problem of light collection is examined from first principles within the framework of geometrical optics. From the outset, we distinguish between light collection and the usual theory of image formation. From phase-space considerations, we derive the sine inequality, a generalization of the Abbe sine law appropriate to nonimaging systems. We construct two- and three-dimensional nonimaging systems that reduce the f number to the least allowed by the sine inequality. Such systems give substantially improved light collection as compared with conventional systems.

Light Collection within the Framework of Geometrical Optics

Efficient Light Coupler for Threshold Čerenkov Counters

A short review of Cherenkov radiation and its use for particle identification with threshold and differential counters is presented. The focusing principles of Ring Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) counters are then developed and applied successively to gas and liquid radiators. An analysis of proximity focused images from liquid or solid radiators follows. A method to reconstruct the Cherenkov angle from the experimental data is developed for spherical as well as for flat detector surfaces. These formulas define the Cherenkov angle sensitivity due to intrinsic as well as extrinsic (measurement) errors. Particle identification limits are then given for each of the different imaging methods.

Theory of ring imaging Cherenkov counters

A unique stroboscopic pulse radiolysis system is described which detects the transient light‐absorbing species formed in solutions by individual fine structure pulses from a 40 MeV linear accelerator. A measured time resolution of 23 psec is attained by using, as the analyzing light, the short (<10 psec) Cerenkov light flashes produced in air by the fine structure pulses of the electron beam. This light is suitably delayed by an optical system in which the path length is slowly changed, then passed through the irradiated sample. The integrated light passing through the sample id detected, and variations in the optical absorption at varying times after the irradiation pulse are observed. The design and performance of the optical, mechanical, and electronic devices which retrieve the absorption signal out of the noise are described in some detail. As an integrated unit, this system meets its expected performance capability, being able to successfully detect absorption signals as small as 0.2%.

Design and performance of a pulse radiolysis system capable of picosecond time resolution.

\ifmmode \check{C}\else \v{C}\fi{}erenkov radiation particle counters of a number of types are in satisfactory use in this laboratory for the counting of high energy mesons, electrons, and protons. The problems associated with \ifmmode \check{C}\else \v{C}\fi{}erenkov counting and some of the uses are discussed together with the design and performance of several types of counters. The uses include high energy electron counting with the exclusion of neutrons and protons, measurement of the velocity of mesons, and the detection of high energy neutrons in the presence of lower energy neutrons by the \ifmmode \check{C}\else \v{C}\fi{}erenkov threshold counting of recoil protons.

John Marshall

Papers

Particle Counting by Čerenkov Radiation