Cerenkov effect

/tʃɛˈɹɛŋkəf ɛˈfɛkt/

Cerenkov effect

English Noun

Definition

The emission of light (Cerenkov radiation) that occurs when a charged particle passes through an insulator at a speed greater than the speed of light in that medium; the characteristic blue glow from a nuclear reactor.

Etymology

Named after Pavel Alekseyevich Cherenkov.