Cherenkov detectors

Abstract Particles passing through a medium with a velocity larger than that of light in that medium emit electromagnetic radiation, called Cherenkov radiation. In this chapter the physical phenomenon and characteristic parameters of Cherenkov radiation, such as Cherenkov angle, spectrum and emission intensity, are introduced and the applications for particle detection and identification are discussed. It follows a presentation of the relevant detector types, such as threshold and differential Cherenkov detectors, ring imaging detectors (RICH and DIRC) as well as Cherenkov detectors in astroparticle experiments. The obtainable resolutions for particle identification via Cherenkov ring imaging and their limitations are discussed as well.