Experimental results of the laserwire emittance scanner for LINAC4 at CERN

Within the framework of the LHC Injector Upgrade (LIU), the new LINAC4 is currently being commissioned to replace the existing LINAC2 proton source at CERN. After the expected completion at the end of 2016, the LINAC4 will accelerate H- ions to 160 MeV. To measure the transverse emittance of the H- beam, a method based on photo-detachment is proposed. This system will operate using a pulsed laser with light delivered via an optical fibre and subsequently focused through a thin slice of the H- beam. The laser photons have sufficient energy to detach the outer electron and create H0/e- pairs. In a downstream dipole, the created H0 particles are separated from the unstripped H- ions and their distribution is measured with a dedicated detector. By scanning the focused laser across the H- beam, the transverse emittance of the H- beam can be reconstructed. This paper will first discuss the concept, design and simulations of the laserComment: Presented at the International Conference on Laser Applications at Accelerators, LA3NET 2015; Submitted to Nucl. Instr. and Meth. in Phys. Res. section

Advanced Simulations of Optical Transition and Diraction Radiation

Charged particle beam diagnostics is a key task in modern and future accelerator installations. The diagnostic tools are practically the “eyes” of the operators. The precision and resolution of the diagnostic equipment are crucial to define the performance of the accelerator. Transition and diffraction radiation (TR and DR) are widely used for electron beam parameter monitoring. However, the precision and resolution of those devices are determined by how well the production, transport and detection of these radiation types are understood. This paper reports on simulations of TR and DR spatial-spectral characteristics using the physical optics propagation (POP) mode of the Zemax advanced optics simulation software. A good consistency with theory is demonstrated. Also, realistic optical system alignment issues are discussed

Compact LWFA-Based Extreme Ultraviolet Free Electron Laser: Design Constraints

The combination of advanced high-power laser technology, new acceleration methods and achievements in undulator development offers the opportunity to build compact, high-brilliance free electron lasers driven by a laser wakefield accelerator. Here, we present a simulation study outlining the main requirements for the laser–plasma-based extreme ultraviolet free electron laser setup with the aim to reach saturation of the photon pulse energy in a single unit of a commercially available undulator with the deflection parameter K0 in the range of 1–1.5. A dedicated electron beam transport strategy that allows control of the electron beam slice parameters, including collective effects, required by the self-amplified spontaneous emission regime is proposed. Finally, a set of coherent photon radiation parameters achievable in the undulator section utilizing the best experimentally demonstrated electron beam parameters are analyzed. As a result, we demonstrate that the ultra-short, few-fs-level pulse of the photon radiation with the wavelength in the extreme ultraviolet range can be obtained with the peak brilliance of ∼7×1028 photons/pulse/mm2/mrad2/0.1%bw

Compact LWFA-Based Extreme Ultraviolet Free Electron Laser: Design Constraints

The combination of advanced high-power laser technology, new acceleration methods and achievements in undulator development offers the opportunity to build compact, high-brilliance free electron lasers driven by a laser wakefield accelerator. Here, we present a simulation study outlining the main requirements for the laser–plasma-based extreme ultraviolet free electron laser setup with the aim to reach saturation of the photon pulse energy in a single unit of a commercially available undulator with the deflection parameter K0 in the range of 1–1.5. A dedicated electron beam transport strategy that allows control of the electron beam slice parameters, including collective effects, required by the self-amplified spontaneous emission regime is proposed. Finally, a set of coherent photon radiation parameters achievable in the undulator section utilizing the best experimentally demonstrated electron beam parameters are analyzed. As a result, we demonstrate that the ultra-short, few-fs-level pulse of the photon radiation with the wavelength in the extreme ultraviolet range can be obtained with the peak brilliance of ∼7×1028 photons/pulse/mm2/mrad2/0.1%bw

Improvement of Beam Imaging Systems through Optics Propagation Simulations

Optical Transition Radiation (OTR) is emitted when a charged particle crosses the interface between two media with different dielectric properties. It has become a wide-spread method for beam profile measurements. However, there are no tools to simulate the propagation of the OTR electric field through an optical system. Simulations using ZEMAX have been performed in order to quantify optical errors, such as aberrations, diffraction, depth of field and misalignment. This paper focuses on simulations of vertically polarized OTR photons with the aim of understanding what limits the resolution of realistic beam imaging systems

Comparison of Optical Transition Radiation Simulations and Theory

The majority of optical diagnostics currently used will not stand up to the requirements of the next generation of particle accelerators. Current methodologies need innovation to be able to reach the sub-micrometre resolution and sensitivity that will be required. One technique that has the potential to meet these requirements is optical transition radiation (OTR) imaging. A new algorithm is proposed which incorporates OTR theory, optical effects and beam distribution. This algorithm takes an existing method used for beam imaging and pushes the limits resolution beyond that normally attainable. In doing so, it can provide a reliable and economical diagnostic for future accelerators. A discussion on further applications of the algorithm is also presented

Diffraction Radiation for Non-Invasive, High-Resolution Beam Size Measurements in Future Linear Colliders

Next generation linear colliders such as the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) or the International Linear Collider (ILC) will accelerate particle beams with extremely small emittance. The high current and small size of the beam (micron-scale) due to such small emittance require non-invasive, high-resolution techniques for beam diagnostics. Diffraction Radiation (DR), a polarization radiation that appears when a charged particle moves in the vicinity of a medium, is an ideal candidate being non-invasive and allowing beams as small as a few tens of microns to be measured. Since DR is sensitive to beam parameters other than the transverse profile (e.g. its divergence and position), preparatory simulations have been performed with realistic beam parameters. A new dedicated instrument was installed in the KEK-ATF2 beam line in February 2016. At present DR is observed in the visible wavelength range, with an upgrade to the ultraviolet (200nm) planned for spring 2017 to optimize sensitivity to smaller beam sizes. Presented here are the latest results of these DR beam size measurements and simulations

Optical Effects in High Resolution and High Dynamic Range Beam Imaging Systems

Optical systems are used to transfer light in beam diagnostics for a variety of imaging applications. The effect of the point spread function (PSF) of these optical systems on the resulting measurements is often approximated or misunderstood. It is imperative that the optical PSF is independently characterised, as this can severely impede the attainable resolution of a diagnostic measurement. A high quality laser and specially chosen optics have been used to generate an intense optical point source in order to accomplish such a characterisation. The point source was used to measure the PSFs of various electron-beam imaging systems. These systems incorporate a digital micro-mirror array, which was used to produce very high (>105) dynamic range images. The PSF was measured at each intermediary image plane of the optical system; enabling the origin of any perturbations to the PSF to be isolated and potentially mitigated. One of the characterised systems has been used for optical transition radiation (OTR) measurements of an electron beam at KEK-ATF2 (Tsukuba, Japan). This provided an application of this process to actively improve the resolution of the beam imaging system. Presented here are the results of our measurements and complementary simulations carried out using Zemax Optical Studio