Front-end electronics for RICH detectors

Ring Imaging Cherenkov detectors will be the backbone of future experiments searching for direct CP violation in B decays. Highly efficient photodetectors are important for a good RICH performance. VLSI front-end ASICs are developed for the readout of high-granularity photodetectors. Design criteria and performance requirements for such front ends are discussed. Some examples of applications and results on performance of several chips are presented.