Pavel Cerenkov

Pavel Cerenkov was a Russian physicist known for discovering Cerenkov radiation, which occurs when a charged particle, like an electron, travels through a transparent medium (such as water) faster than light can move through that same medium. This creates a faint, bluish glow, similar to a sonic boom but with light. The discovery helps scientists detect and study high-energy particles, especially in nuclear and particle physics. Cerenkov’s work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1958, recognizing its importance for understanding subatomic processes and developing advanced detection methods.