High-brightness electron beam diagnostics at the ATF

Abstract

The Brookhaven Accelerator Test Facility (ATF) is a dedicated user facility for accelerator physicists. Its design is optimized to explore laser acceleration and coherent radiation production. To characterize the low-emittance, picoseconds-long electron beam produced by the ATF’s photocathode rf gun, we have installed electron beam profile monitors for transverse emittance measurement and developed a new technique to measure electron beam pulse length by chirping the electron beam energy. We have also developed a new technique to measure the ps slice emittance of a 10-ps-long electron beam. Stripline beam position monitors were installed along the beam to monitor the electron beam position and intensity. A stripline beam position monitor was also used to monitor the timing jitter between the rf system and laser pulses. Transition radiation was used to measure electron beam energy, beam profile, and electron beam bunch length.