CHERENKOV RADIATION: FROM CLASSICAL PATTERN TO QUANTUM DESCRIPTION
In this paper we consider the spontaneous Cherenkov radiation in the frame of different approaches. Namely, we consider the standard results by Frank and Tamm, Fermi results based on the radiative attenuation of the charged particle and results of quantum-mechanical calculations. Quantum-mechanical approach allows to make an important conclusion on the nature of Cherenkov radiation, namely, the Cherenkov radiation is the result of interaction of the charged particle with the electromagnetic vacuum which is changed by a medium, nor the interaction with a medium. In the frame of a quantum-mechanical approach it is possible to obtain the analytic expression for Cherenkov radiated power in the case of squeezed state of electromagnetic vacuum.