Diffraction Radiation Produced by a Charged Particle Passing Near Or Through a Dielectric Sphere

Book excerpt: We have derived expressions for the spectral distribution of diffraction radiation produced when a charged particle of constant velocity passes near or through a dielectric sphere of radius a. Our expressions, which are valid in the long wavelength limit ka “1, describe the production of radiation as a function of the particle's impact parameter and energy and as a function of the dielectric property of the sphere. Our results reduce to forms similar to Rayleigh scattering of light when ka .-->. O and the impact parameter is large. Certain limiting cases of our expressions are found to be significantly different from the corresponding results previously published by other workers. 4 refs., 7 figs.