Application of the method of images in the problems of transition radiation in a dihedral angle

Application of the method of images to the description of transition radiation generated when a charged particle passes through a dihedral angle formed by perfectly conducting planes is considered. It is shown that the electromagnetic field generated when a charged particle passes through a dihedral angle of α = π/ m is equivalent to the field generated when 2 m charged particles (a given particle with charge q and 2 m − 1 images with charges ± q of alternating signs) instantaneously start to move. Expressions are obtained that describe the field of transition radiation in the wave zone as a sum of the fields generated by the starting particles. The spectral-angular distributions of radiation in dihedral angles of α = 90°, 60°, 45°, 36°, and 30° are calculated. Specific features of this transition radiation are considered. It is suggested that this radiation can be used to diagnose the spatial distribution and the direction of motion of charged particles.