Commissioning of Timepix3 Based Beam Gas Ionisation Profile Monitors for the CERN Proton Synchrotron

A pair of operational Beam Gas Ionisation (BGI) profile monitors was installed in the CERN Proton Synchrotron (PS) at the beginning of 2021. These instruments use Timepix3 hybrid pixel detectors to continuously measure the beam profile throughout the cycle in the horizontal and vertical planes. In the weeks following their installation, both BGI’s were commissioned in situ by equalizing and tuning the thresholds of the Timepix3 detectors. First measurements were taken during the beam commissioning period, demonstrating the operational readiness of the instruments. Sextupolar components originating from the magnetic shield in the vertical BGI magnet were later discovered and required compensation to reduce their effect on the PS beams. With the compensation in place, operational measurements could be started and provided new insights into the dynamics of the PS beam cycles.