In the present paper, we give a simple derivation of the spectrum and angular distribution of the transition radiation emitted by ultrarelativistic particles which pass through dielectric foils. The approximations appropriate for high-frequency radiation in the ultrarelativistic limit are made at the beginning. The calculations are consequently much simpler than standard calculations, and our results, some of which are apparently new, are relatively simple and easy to interpret. The primary emphasis in the development is on conditions likely to be encountered in the application of transition radiation detectors in high-energy physics.

• Received 8 July 1974

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.11.89