| 2. Cherenkov: intuitive understanding and applications (contd..) |
| Cherenkov cone and energy of relativistic particles |
| Problem |
| In a water Cherenkov neutrino detector, a high energy muon
neutrino interacts with a nucleus, producing a highly relativistic
muon that gives out Cherenkov radiation (refractive index of
water: 4/3). This radiation is detected by a photosensitive plane
(made of photomultiplier tubes). |
| Two muons (mass = 100 MeV) of energies 1 GeV and 10 GeV,
respectively, are produced at the same point and travel in a direction
normal to the photosensitive plane at a distance 40 m from
the point of production. Sketch the pattern of light seen on the
photosensitive plane, for both the muons (in the same figure).
Show all the relevant distances. |
| [Assume that the muons, once produced, are absorbed in water
within a relatively short distance (as compared to 40 m).] |
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