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Observation of light below Cerenkov threshold in a 1.5 meter long integrating Cerenkov counter

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Zeitschrift für Physik C Particles and Fields

Abstract

We have observed Cerenkov light, well below threshold, in an integrating Cerenkov counter used to determine particle composition of the secondary hadron beam, which is the source of Fermilab narrow-band neutrinos. The phenomenon can be understood in terms of diffraction effects in a finite length counter caused by radiation emitted by particles traversing the counter even when it is evacuated. At zero pressure, the light can be considered as transition radiation produced when particles enter and leave the counter. A standard Cerenkov diffraction formula describes both the normal Cerenkov radiation and the light emitted below Cerenkov threshold.

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Author notes

  1. W. Marsh

    Present address: Fermilab, 60510, Batavia, IL, USA

  2. T. Kondo

    Present address: National Laboratory for High Energy Physics (KEK Oho-Machi, Tsukuba-Gun, 305, Ibaraki-Ken, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Rochester, 14627, Rochester, NY, USA

    A. Bodek & W. Marsh

  2. California Institute of Technology, 91125, Pasadena, CA, USA

    M. V. Purohit

  3. Columbia University, 10027, New York, NY, USA

    P. S. Auchincloss, R. Blair, M. A. Ruiz, F. J. Sciulli & M. H. Shaevitz

  4. Fermilab, 60510, Batavia, IL, USA

    H. E. Fisk, T. Kondo, S. Pordes, P. A. Rapidis & D. D. Yovanovitch

  5. Michigan State University, 48824, East Lansing, MI, USA

    M. Abolins, R. Brock & D. Owen

  6. Rockefeller University, 10021, New York, NY, USA

    K. A. Jenkins & O. Fackler

Authors
  1. A. Bodek
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  2. W. Marsh
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  3. M. V. Purohit
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  4. P. S. Auchincloss
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  5. R. Blair
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  6. M. A. Ruiz
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  7. F. J. Sciulli
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  8. M. H. Shaevitz
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  9. H. E. Fisk
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  10. T. Kondo
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  11. S. Pordes
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  12. P. A. Rapidis
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  13. D. D. Yovanovitch
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  14. M. Abolins
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  15. R. Brock
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  16. D. Owen
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  17. K. A. Jenkins
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  18. O. Fackler
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Bodek, A., Marsh, W., Purohit, M.V. et al. Observation of light below Cerenkov threshold in a 1.5 meter long integrating Cerenkov counter. Z. Phys. C - Particles and Fields 18, 289–299 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01573729

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01573729

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