An event reconstruction algorithm to analyze Cherenkov rings in a Ring Imag
ing Cherenkov (RICH) detector is considered and the results of a Monte Carl
o simulation are discussed. It is demonstrated that aerogel radiators can b
e used in RICH detectors despite the Rayleigh scattering of light if filter
ed by a pattern recognition program. The velocity of the particle radiating
Cherenkov light, beta is determined by a fit to the photon hit pattern, as
suming prior momentum measurement by a tracking system. The charge of the p
article, a, is obtained from the collected light. The results show that, fo
r the geometries considered, velocity resolutions sigma(beta)/beta similar
or equal to 1X10(-3) and charge resolutions sigma(Z)/Z similar or equal to
10% can be achieved for 5 GeV/c protons and a 2 cm thick aerogel radiator.
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