Longitudinal Bunch Profile Research Articles

Longitudinal bunch profile measurement of operational H− beam using laser wire and virtual slit

We propose and demonstrate a nonintrusive diagnostic technique for measuring longitudinal bunch profiles of an operational high-power hydrogen ion (${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) beam in the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) linear accelerator at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The technique consists of a laser wire formed by a picosecond pulsed laser beam and a virtual slit created by controlling the magnetic field of the electron detector. The virtual slit eliminates the influence of the transverse beam profile and size on the longitudinal bunch profile measurement. The effectiveness of the diagnostics is investigated first in numerical simulations followed by experimental demonstrations performed on the neutron production (1.4 MW on target) ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ beam at the SNS superconducting linac. The results from the present measurement method are verified by an independent measurement approach.

Beam shaping using an ultrahigh vacuum multileaf collimator and emittance exchange beamline

We report the development of a multileaf collimator (MLC) for charged particle beams, based on independently actuated tungsten strips that can selectively scatter unwanted particles. The MLC is used in conjunction with an emittance exchange beamline to rapidly generate highly variable longitudinal bunch profiles. The developed MLC consists of 40 independent leaves that are 2 mm wide and can move up to 10 mm and operates in an ultrahigh vacuum environment, enabled by novel features such as magnetically coupled actuation. An experiment at the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator, which previously used inflexible, laser-cut masks for beam shaping before an emittance exchange beamline, was conducted to test functionality. The experiment demonstrated myriad transverse mask silhouettes, as measured on a scintillator downstream of the MLC, and the corresponding longitudinal profiles after emittance exchange, as measured using a transverse-deflecting cavity. Rapidly changing between mask shapes enables expeditious execution of various experiments without the downtime associated with traditional methods. The many degrees of freedom of the MLC can enable the optimization of experimental figures of merit using feed-forward control and advanced machine learning methods.Received 6 October 2022Accepted 31 January 2023DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevAccelBeams.26.022801Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.Published by the American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasBeam controlCollimationAccelerators & Beams

Reconstructions from randomly generated longitudinal electron bunch profiles with Gaussian envelopes using the Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm.

Knowledge of longitudinal electron bunch profiles is vital to optimize the performance of plasma wakefield accelerators and x-ray free electron laser linacs. Because of their importance to these novel applications, noninvasive frequency domain techniques are often employed to reconstruct longitudinal bunch profiles from coherent synchrotron, transition, or undulator radiation measurements. In this paper, we detail several common reconstruction techniques involving the Kramers-Kronig phase relationship and Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm. Through statistical analysis, we draw general conclusions about the accuracy of these reconstruction techniques and the most suitable candidate for reconstructing well-isolated longitudinal bunch profiles from spectroscopic data.

Analytical and Numerical Characterization of Cherenkov Diffraction Radiation as a Longitudinal Electron Bunch Profile Monitor for AWAKE Run 2

Analytical and Numerical Characterization of Cherenkov Diffraction Radiation as a Longitudinal Electron Bunch Profile Monitor for AWAKE Run 2

Electro-Optical Diagnostics at KARA and FLUTE – Results and Prospects

Electro-optical (EO) methods are nowadays well-proven diagnostic tools, which are utilized to detect THz fields in countless experiments. The world’s first near-field EO sampling monitor at an electron storage ring was developed and installed at the KIT storage ring KARA (Karlsruhe Research Accelerator) and optimized to detect longitudinal bunch profiles. This experiment with other diagnostic techniques builds a distributed, synchronized sensor network to gain comprehensive data about the phase-space of electron bunches as well as the produced coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR). These measurements facilitate studies of physical conditions to provide, at the end, intense and stable CSR in the THz range. At KIT, we also operate FLUTE (Ferninfrarot Linac- und Test-Experiment), a new compact versatile linear accelerator as a test facility for novel techniques and diagnostics. There, EO diagnostics will be implemented to open up possibilities to evaluate and compare new techniques for longitudinal bunch diagnostics. In this contribution, we will give an overview of results achieved, the current status of the EO diagnostic setups at KARA and FLUTE and discuss future prospects.

Kalman filter-based longitudinal phase-space reconstruction method for hadron machines

This work proposes a novel longitudinal phase-space reconstruction method for hadron machines. The proposed method is based on a Kalman filter and can therefore provide real-time estimates of the phase-space reconstruction. The main input for the method is real-time measurements of the longitudinal bunch profile. Beam conditions in the LHC are used throughout this work as examples of the applicability and practical implementation of such a method. Longitudinal phase-space reconstructions obtained with the proposed method are compared with a tomographic-based technique using experimentally logged data from the LHC wall current monitors.

Single shot, nondestructive monitor for longitudinal subpicosecond bunch profile measurements with femtosecond resolution

Accurate knowledge of the charged particle bunch longitudinal (time) profile is important in the context of wakefield accelerators, Compton Light sources, x-ray SASE FELs and THz radiation sources. However, it is still a challenge to obtain this information for subpicosecond long bunches and microbunched beams with the required femtosecond (fs) resolution and nondestructively. Apart from determining the profile in a nondestructive manner, the ideal bunch diagnostic would enable extraction of all required information in a single shot, have a sufficiently high repetition rate to monitor each bunch, small footprint, good cost efficiency and reliability. In this paper we present the design of a longitudinal bunch profile monitor that can determine the charged particle bunch profile with femtosecond resolution, nondestructively and in a single shot via the spectral analysis of coherent Smith-Purcell radiation (cSPr). It is based on the simultaneous deployment of three gratings with different periodicities, each with its own set of detectors. The number of the frequency sampling points is equal to the number of the optical channels and the discrimination against background radiation is based on the different polarization properties of cSPr and background radiation. The rationales for the choices made to optimize the monitor operation will be presented and the criteria for determining the number of frequency sampling points will be discussed. The possible future developments of the monitor are also presented and discussed.

Liouville theory for fully analytic studies of longitudinal beam dynamics and bunch profile reconstruction in dispersive lines

A fully analytic formalism based on the exact solution of the Liouville equation expressed in terms of exponential operators describing the phase space of particles’ beams is adopted for studying the longitudinal dynamics in RF accelerators and magnetic compressors. A diagnostic solution is provided for the temporal reconstruction of bunch profiles in dispersive lines, solely relying on the measurement of energy spectra. Results obtained at the SOLARIS facility show pros and cons of the proposed approach, where the first bunch length measurement for the injector linac has been performed since the start of its operation.

Tunable and precise two-bunch generation at FLASHForward

Beam-driven plasma-wakefield acceleration based on external injection has the potential to significantly reduce the size of future accelerators. Stability and quality of the acceleration process substantially depends on the incoming bunch parameters. Precise control of the current profile is essential for optimising energy-transfer efficiency and preserving energy spread. At the FLASHForward facility, driver-witness bunch pairs of adjustable bunch length and separation are generated by a set of collimators in a dispersive section, which enables fs-level control of the longitudinal bunch profile. The design of the collimator apparatus and its commissioning is presented.

Estimation of longitudinal bunch characteristics in the LHC using Schottky-based diagnostics

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Schottky monitors have been designed to measure various parameters of relevance to beam quality, namely tune, momentum spread, and chromaticity. In this work, we present how this instrument can be used to estimate longitudinal bunch characteristics, such as longitudinal bunch profile or synchrotron frequency distribution. Under the assumption of bunched beams with no intrabunch coherent motion, we start by deriving the relation between the distribution of synchrotron amplitudes within the bunch population and the longitudinal bunch profile from probabilistic principles. Subsequently, we fit the cumulative power density of acquired Schottky spectra with the underlying distribution of synchrotron amplitudes. Finally, the result of this fit is used to reconstruct the bunch profile using the derived model. The results obtained with this method are verified by comparison with longitudinal profile measurements from the LHC wall current monitors.

Development of longitudinal beam profile monitor based on Coherent Transition Radiation effect for CLARA accelerator

Coherent Transition Radiation (CTR) has widely been used for longitudinal beam profile diagnostics. Its spectral-spatial properties have been thoroughly theoretically and experimentally investigated. We have decided to develop a longitudinal beam profile diagnostics based on CTR technique to be used for interpreting the experimental results of Dielectric Wakefield Accelerator (DWA) and Coherent Cherenkov Diffraction Radiation (CChDR) experiments. In this paper we present the technical design,tuning and commissioning of the CTR longitudinal bunch profile monitor at CLARA facility.

Compact single-shot electro-optic detection system for THz pulses with femtosecond time resolution at MHz repetition rates.

Electro-optical detection has proven to be a valuable technique to study temporal profiles of THz pulses with pulse durations down to femtoseconds. As the Coulomb field around a relativistic electron bunch resembles the current profile, electro-optical detection can be exploited for non-invasive bunch length measurements at accelerators. We have developed a very compact and robust electro-optical detection system based on spectral decoding for single-shot longitudinal bunch profile monitoring at the European X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) for electron bunch lengths down to 200 fs (rms). Apart from the GaP crystal and the corresponding laser optics at the electron beamline, all components are housed in 19 in. chassis for rack mount and remote operation inside the accelerator tunnel. An advanced laser synchronization scheme based on radio-frequency down-conversion has been developed for locking a custom-made Yb-fiber laser to the radio-frequency of the European XFEL accelerator. In order to cope with the high bunch repetition rate of the superconducting accelerator, a novel linear array detector has been employed for spectral measurements of the Yb-fiber laser pulses at frame rates of up to 2.26 MHz. In this paper, we describe all sub-systems of the electro-optical detection system as well as the measurement procedure in detail and discuss the first measurement results of longitudinal bunch profiles of around 400 fs (rms) with an arrival-time jitter of 35 fs (rms).

Noninvasive bunch length measurements exploiting Cherenkov diffraction radiation

We present the observation and the detailed investigation of coherent Cherenkov diffraction radiation (CChDR) in terms of spectral-angular characteristics. Electromagnetic simulations have been performed to optimize the design of a prismatic dielectric radiator and the performance of a detection system with the aim of providing longitudinal beam diagnostics. Successful experimental validations have been organized on the CLEAR and the CLARA facilities based at CERN and Daresbury laboratory respectively. With ps to sub-ps long electron bunches, the emitted radiation spectra extend up to the THz frequency range. Bunch length measurements based on CChDR have been compared to longitudinal bunch profiles obtained using a radio frequency deflecting cavity or coherent transition radiation (CTR). The retrieval of the temporal profile of both Gaussian and non-Gaussian bunches has also been demonstrated. The proposed detection scheme paves the way to a new kind of beam instrumentation, simple and compact for monitoring short bunches of charged particles, particularly well-adapted to novel accelerator technologies, such as dielectric and plasma accelerators. Finally, CChDR could be used for generating intense THz radiation pulses at the MW level in existing radiation facilities, providing broader opportunities for the user community.

High throughput data streaming of individual longitudinal electron bunch profiles

The development of fast detection methods for comprehensive monitoring of electron bunches is a prerequisite to gain comprehensive control over the synchrontron emission in storage rings with their MHz repetition rate. Here, we present a proof-of-principle experiment with at detailed description of our implementation to detect the longitudinal electron bunch profiles via single-shot, near-field electro-optical sampling at the Karlsruhe Research Accelerator (KARA). Our experiment is equipped with an ultra-fast line array camera providing a high-throughput MHz data stream. We characterize statistical properties of the obtained data set and give a detailed description for the data processing as well as for the calculation of the charge density profiles, which where measured in the short-bunch operation mode of KARA. Finally, we discuss properties of the bunch profile dynamics on a coarse-grained level on the example of the well-known synchrotron oscillation.

Synchronous detection of longitudinal and transverse bunch signals at a storage ring

To understand and control the dynamics in the longitudinal phase space, time-resolved measurements of different bunch parameters are required. For a reconstruction of this phase space, the detector systems have to be synchronized. This reconstruction can be used e.g. for studies of the micro-bunching instability. It occurs if the interaction of the bunch with its own radiation leads to the formation of sub-structures on the longitudinal bunch profile. These sub-structures can grow rapidly -- leading to a sawtooth-like behaviour of the bunch. At KARA, we use a fast-gated intensified camera for energy spread studies, Schottky diodes for coherent synchrotron radiation studies as well as electro-optical spectral decoding for longitudinal bunch profile measurements. For a synchronization, a hardware synchronization scheme is used which compensates for eventual hardware delays. In this paper, the different experimental setups and their synchronization are discussed and first results of synchronous measurements are presented.

Transverse deflecting structure XFEL TDS INJ

The Transverse Deflecting System XFEL TDS System INJ has been built as the part of the European X-ray Free Electron Laser for longitudinal bunch profile and slice emittance measurements. The 0.7 long Transverse Deflecting Structure (TDS), as the part of the system, has been built on base of the disk-loaded structure with hybrid EH-wave, operating frequency 2997.2 MHz and pulse input RF power up to 3 MW. The structure has been built, tuned and installed in the XFEL Injector beam line. All design parameters have been got at low RF power level. Electron beam has been passed through the whole Injector including TDS.

Reprint of: Coulomb field strength measurement by electro-optic spectral decoding system at the CALIFES beam line

Electro-optic (EO) techniques are increasingly used for longitudinal bunch profile measurements. A bunch profile monitor, based on electro-optic spectral decoding (EOSD), has been developed and demonstrated on the CALIFES beam line at CERN. The EO response is analysed using a frequency domain description, and two methods for extraction of absolute Coulomb field strengths from the electron bunch are demonstrated. Measurements at field strengths up to 1.3MV/m agree with the expectation based on independent charge measurements.

Coulomb field strength measurement by electro-optic spectral decoding system at the CALIFES beam line

Electro-optic (EO) techniques are increasingly used for longitudinal bunch profile measurements. A bunch profile monitor, based on electro-optic spectral decoding (EOSD), has been developed and demonstrated on the CALIFES beam line at CERN. The EO response is analysed using a frequency domain description, and two methods for extraction of absolute Coulomb field strengths from the electron bunch are demonstrated. Measurements at field strengths up to 1.3MV/m agree with the expectation based on independent charge measurements.

Temporal evolution of longitudinal bunch profile in a laser wakefield accelerator

Due to their ultra-short duration and peak currents in the kA range, laser-wakefield accelerated electron bunches are promising drivers for ultrafast X-ray generation in compact free-electron-lasers (FELs), Thomson-scattering or betatron sources. Here we present the first single-shot, high-resolution measurements of the longitudinal bunch profile obtained without prior assumptions about the bunch shape. Our method allows complex features, such as multi-bunch structures, to be detected. Varying the length of the gas target, and thus the acceleration length, enables an assessment of the bunch profile evolution during the acceleration process. We find a minimum bunch duration of 4.2 fs (full width at half maximum) with shot-to-shot fluctuation of 11% rms. Our results suggest that after depletion of the laser energy, a transition from a laser-driven to a particle-driven wakefield occurs, associated with the injection of a secondary bunch. The resulting double-bunch structure might act as an elegant approach for driver-witness type experiments, i.e. allowing a non-dephasing-limited acceleration of the secondary bunch in a plasma-afterburner stage.

The time resolved measurement of ultrashort terahertz-band electric fields without an ultrashort probe

The time-resolved detection of ultrashort pulsed THz-band electric field temporal profiles without an ultrashort laser probe is demonstrated. A non-linear interaction between a narrow-bandwidth optical probe and the THz pulse transposes the THz spectral intensity and phase information to the optical region, thereby generating an optical pulse whose temporal electric field envelope replicates the temporal profile of the real THz electric field. This optical envelope is characterised via an autocorrelation based FROG (frequency resolved optical gating) measurement, hence revealing the THz temporal profile. The combination of a narrow-bandwidth, long duration, optical probe, and self-referenced FROG makes the technique inherently immune to timing jitter between the optical probe and THz pulse and may find particular application where the THz field is not initially generated via ultrashort laser methods, such as the measurement of longitudinal electron bunch profiles in particle accelerators.