Cerenkov radiation

noun

Ce·​ren·​kov radiation chə-ˈreŋ-kȯf-  chər-ˈyeŋ- 

: light produced by charged particles (such as electrons) traversing a transparent medium at a speed greater than that of light in the same medium

called also Cerenkov light

Word History

Etymology

after P. A. cherenkov

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Cerenkov radiation

noun

variants also Cherenkov radiation

: light produced by charged particles (as electrons) traversing a transparent medium at a speed greater than that of light in the same medium

called also Cerenkov light