TransWikia.com

Would Cherenkov radiation be observed in Uranium glass?

Physics Asked by Extr3mis on November 26, 2020

I recently read about Cherenkov Radiation and the neat blue glow it creates in underwater nuclear reactors, and my understanding of it is that it occurs due to particles ($beta$ particles in the case I am about to describe) travelling faster than the speed of light in that medium.

Coming to Uranium glass, I know it is usually made from depleted Uranium, which I interpret as U-238. U-238 decays to Th-234, which finally gives off a $beta$ particle to decay further.

So, assuming glass having a refractive index of about 1.5, would it be possible to observe Cherenkov Radiation from Uranium glass?

One Answer

That would be difficult, I think.

Glass should show Cerenkov radiation, but in uranium glass I expect that visible emissions would be dominated by fluorescence.

Correct answer by Pieter on November 26, 2020

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP