Paper
31 August 2015 Transforming Cherenkov radiation in metamaterials
Author Affiliations +
Abstract
In this contribution, we explore the generation of light in transformation-optical media. When charged particles move through a transformation-optical material with a speed larger than the phase velocity of light in the medium, Cherenkov light is emitted. We show that the emitted Cherenkov cone can be modified with longitudinal and transverse stretching of the coordinates. Transverse coordinates stretching alters only the dimensions of the cone, whereas longitudinal stretching also changes the apparent velocity of the charged particle. These results demonstrate that the geometric formalism of transformation optics can be used not only for the manipulation of light beam trajectories, but also for controlling the emission of light, here for describing the Cherenkov cone in an arbitrary anisotropic medium. Subsequently, we illustrate this point by designing a radiator for a ring imaging Cherenkov radiator. Cherenkov radiators are used to identify unknown elementary particles by determining their mass from the Cherenkov radiation cone that is emitted as they pass through the detector apparatus. However, at higher particle momentum, the angle of the Cherenkov cone saturates to a value independent of the mass of the generating particle, making it difficult to effectively distinguish between different particles. Using our transformation optics description, we show how the Cherenkov cone and the cut-off can be controlled to yield a radiator medium with enhanced sensitivity for particle identification at higher momentum [Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 167402 (2014)].
© (2015) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Vincent Ginis, Jan Danckaert, Irina Veretennicoff, and Philippe Tassin "Transforming Cherenkov radiation in metamaterials", Proc. SPIE 9546, Active Photonic Materials VII, 95461Q (31 August 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2190112
Advertisement
Advertisement
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission  Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace
KEYWORDS
Metamaterials

Particles

Cerenkov radiation imaging

Charged particle optics

Electromagnetism

Electroluminescent displays

Refractive index

RELATED CONTENT

The nature of light: what are photons?
Proceedings of SPIE (October 01 2013)
Dielectric resonant metaphotonics
Proceedings of SPIE (January 01 1900)
The magical world of metamaterials
Proceedings of SPIE (May 26 2009)
Study of light propagation through nanostructured materials
Proceedings of SPIE (September 04 2008)
Optical transparency modes in anisotropic media
Proceedings of SPIE (June 14 2006)
What is negative refraction?
Proceedings of SPIE (September 01 2009)

Back to Top