FLUORESCENT DYE-DOPED AEROGELS FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF CERENKOV LIGHT DETECTION

An aerogel Cerenkov threshold detector for the velocity identification of charged particles is under construction at the elementary particle physics experiment SAPHIR (spectrometer arrangement for photon induce d reactions). Aerogels are the only possible radiator material because of their optical properties. To enhance the efficiency a fluorescent dye in the aerogel radiator allows spectral matching between the neat- UV part of the Cerenkov spectrum and the light collection system. Fluo rescent dye doped aerogels were prepared and their optical properties were investigated.