The ring imaging Cherenkov detector of the NA62 experiment at CERN

A Ring Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detector is the key element for particle identification in the NA62 experiment at CERN. Its purposes are to distinguish pions from muons in the momentum range from 15 GeV/c to 35 GeV/c with a muon suppression factor at the 0.5% level, to measure the particle arrival time with better than 100 ps resolution and to provide the reference time and a fast signal for the trigger system. This paper describes the updated detector design, the present status of the construction, the final results of a prototype beam test and a possible application of Graphics Processing Units in the NA62 trigger system based on RICH information. -- Highlights: •The updated design and the construction status of the NA62 RICH are described. •As NA62 requires, the RICH can distinguish μ from p at the 0.5% level. •The time resolution is below 100 ps and the Cherenkov angle one is below 80μrad. •The RICH is a fundamental element of the new three-level NA62 trigger system. •GPUs can successfully manage RICH information both at L0 and L1 trigger levels