Recent progress in particle identification methods

The paper reviews recent progress in particle identification methods based on detection of Cherenkov radiation. We survey the present experience in Cherenkov counters employed for particle identification in various experimental environments, discuss upgrades of existing devices, a novel focusing radiator concept, and recent progress in photon detectors. Finally, the possibility to perform a precise measurement of the time of arrival of Cherenkov photons is evaluated, either in combination with a ring imaging counter or in a dedicated time-of-flight device.