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We present our current experience in preparation of focusing aerogels for the Focusing Aerogel RICH detector. Multilayer focusing aerogel tiles have been produced in Novosibirsk by a collaboration of the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics and Boreskov Institute of Catalysis since 2004. We have obtained 2–3–4-layer blocks with the thickness of 30–45 mm. In 2012, the first samples of focusing blocks with continuous density (refractive index) gradient along thickness were produced. This technology can significantly reduce the contribution from the geometric factor of the radiator thickness to the resolution of the measured Cherenkov angle in the FARICH detector. The special installation was used for automatic control of reagents ratio during the synthesis process. The first samples were tested using the digital radiography method and on the electron beam with the FARICH prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Silica aerogel blocks are being produced for use in Cherenkov detectors by a collaboration of Boreskov Institute of Catalysis and Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics since 1986. Novosibirsk aerogel is used in several detectors; among them are KEDR, SND (BINP, Novosibirsk), LHCb (CERN, Geneva), AMS (for International Space Station mission) and others. Currently our investigations are going on in two directions: multilayer aerogels for Focusing Aerogel RICH and aerogels with high index of refraction. We have synthesized two-, three- and four-layer aerogel tiles with dimensions of 115mm×115mm. We have modernized the method of pinhole drying for preparation of aerogels with refractive index in the range of 1.07–1.20. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]