A residual-gas ionization beam profile monitor for the Heidelberg Test Storage Ring TSR

Abstract

A monitoring device for the transverse density distribution of stored heavy-ion beams, based on the detection of ionization products of the beam particles in the residual gas, has been developed for the heavy-ion Test Storage Ring (TSR) in Heidelberg. With two monitor units installed in the ring, non-destructive, sensitive measurements of the horizontal and vertical profiles of cooled stored ion beams can be performed with a spatial resolution of about ±(0.2–0.3) mm. The beam profile monitors are used to determine the transverse beam temperature, to study transverse cooling and heating mechanisms, to observe the ion beam behaviour during experiments, and to determine storage-ring parameters such as the dispersion function. The principle, technical realization and operation of these devices are described. First experimental results concerning transverse electron cooling of heavy-ion beams are discussed, in particular the measurement of cooling rates and the optimization of the alignment between the stored ion beam and the cooling electron beam.