Particle identification with the 4 pi CHIMERA detector array

Intermediate energy heavy ion collisions are unique probes to study the properties of nuclei far away from the nuclear ground state. The CHIMERA detector is a powerful second generation 4 pi array conceived to study nuclear reactions at intermediate energies. The array has 1192 detection cells covering almost 95% of total solid angle. The CHIMERA device operated at the Laboratori Nazionali del Sud in Catania in four campaigns in 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2005, showing very good performances in the detection and identification capabilities. Experimental results are presented, together with the improvement in progress to extend further the detection and identification capabilities.