Cherenkov detector

A Cherenkov detector (pronunciation: /tʃɛrɛnˈkɔv/; Russian: Черенко́в) is a type particle detector designed to detect and identify particles by produced Cherenkov radiation. Many high energy diagnostic techniques leverage Cherenkov radiation because of its relatively unique properties compared to other forms of radiation emission. Cherenkov detectors are used in nuclear physics, cosmic ray physics, particle physics and inertial confinement fusion. Jelley notes the following advantages

  • Fast counting, short response times and high count rates can be achieved
  • Direct determination of velocity, if mass is known
  • Energy discrimination
  • Charge determination, as Cherenkov radiation goes as the charge squared,
  • Counting over large areas, particularly in cosmic ray fields, where many meter sized detectors are reasonable
  • Direction selection

and notes that it typically cannot be used for low energy (<175 keV) particles, it has generally weak light emission, typically requiring amplification through photomultiplier tubes or other techniques.

Chereknov detectors are contrasted with other nuclear particle measurement techniques such as scintillation counters or semiconductor detectors.

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