Characterization of the PS Kickers for Improved Fast Extraction

So far the best method for characterizing extraction magnets used for fast extraction in the Proton Synchrotron has been to monitor the current flowing into the magnet as a function of time. However, this method does not directly measure the effect on the particle beam and presents difficulties when one aims to synchronize the magnetic pulse with the beam. This document discusses the development and usage of a method for directly measuring the effect of the kicker's magnetic field on the particle beam, which is then applied to measure and correct the temporal alignment of the modules of KFA71/79, the primary fast extraction magnet of the PS. Further applications such as measuring the temporal alignment of the falling edge and measuring the effect of increasing the module voltage on the measured kick response are discussed.