Status of large area CsI photocathode developments

The development of large area reflective CsI photocathodes for RICH detectors is reviewed in the context of their production process and their performance. The quantum efficiencies of six large photocathodes recently produced by ALICE are compared with results available from the large photocathodes at HADES and STAR and with earlier R&D results obtained on small area samples. The CsI coating parameters and new developments in the domain of the production and the preparation of substrates are discussed in relation with the photocathode performance.