Cherenkov imaging and timing techniques in astroparticle physics

Cherenkov techniques are widely used in astroparticle physics experiments. Classical ring imaging has been applied in balloon experiments. Underground Cherenkov detectors also yield ring-like patterns of photomultiplier hits, whereas in deep underwater experiments tracks are reconstructed from the light arrival times at photomultipliers spread over a large volume. Cherenkov air shower detectors either analyze the image of extended showers, or sample the arrival times of the Cherenkov light cone at different points at the earth's surface. This report reviews the various techniques and illustrates them by selected physics results. (orig.)