Beam test and performance assessment for the prototype of a novel compact RICH detector with timing capabilities for the future ALICE 3 PID system at HL-LHC

The ongoing project of ALICE 3 for LHC Run 5 and beyond envisages a Ring-Imaging Cherenkov (RICH) detector for high-energy charged particle identification. This detector employs an aerogel radiator in proximity-focusing configuration and Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) arrays, with a high-refractive index window for improving the timing capabilities. A small-scale prototype was assembled with Hamamatsu SiPM arrays, various window materials, and a 2 cm aerogel tile. Beam tests at the CERN PS T10 line with pions and protons validated its performance. For the data acquisition we have used Petiroc 2A, Radioroc 2 and picoTDC, achieving a single photon Cherenkov angular resolution of about 4.4mrad at (8−10GeV/c) pion and proton beams and charged particle time resolution better than 50ps. We present the latest R&D activities and beam test results for the ALICE 3 RICH prototype.