also  Che*ren*kov  adj 1  :  of, relating to, or being Cerenkov radiation or the process that produces such radiation <the effect>   2  :  being a device that makes use of Cerenkov radiation <a counter> 
 
Cherenkov, Pavel Alekseevich (1904-1990), Russian physicist. Cherenkov first discovered Cerenkov radiation in 1934. Later research by Igor Y. Tamm and Ilya M. Frank led to a definite explanation of the phenomenon. Discovery of Cerenkov radiation led to further studies in cosmic rays and high-energy subatomic particles. Cherenkov, Frank, and Tamm were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1958.
 
 
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2024.