  A proximity focusing ring imaging Cherenkov detector, with the radiator
consisting of two or more aerogel layers of different refractive indices, has
been tested in 1-4 GeV/c pion beams at KEK. Essentially, a multiple refractive
index aerogel radiator allows for an increase in Cherenkov photon yield on
account of the increase in overall radiator thickness, while avoiding the
simultaneous degradation in single photon angular resolution associated with
the increased uncertainty of the emission point. With the refractive index of
consecutive layers suitably increasing in the downstream direction, one may
achieve overlapping of the Cherenkov rings from a single charged particle. In
the opposite case of decreasing refractive index, one may obtain well separated
rings. In the former combination an approximately 40% increase in photon yield
is accompanied with just a minor degradation in single photon angular
resolution. The impact of this improvement on the pion/kaon separation at the
upgraded Belle detector is discussed.
