Monitoring light source for CMS lead tungstate crystal calorimeter at LHC

Light monitoring will track variations of the calibration of the CMS lead tungstate crystals in situ at LHC, which is crucial for maintaining crystal calorimeter's subpercent constant term in the energy resolution. This paper presents the design of the CMS ECAL monitoring light source and high level distribution system. The correlations between variations of the light output and the transmittance for the CMS choice of yttrium doped PbWO/sub 4/ crystals were investigated, and were used to study monitoring linearity and sensitivity as a function of wavelength. The monitoring wavelength was determined so that a good linearity as well as adequate sensitivity can be achieved. The performance of a custom manufactured tunable laser system is presented. Issues related to monitoring precision are discussed. (13 refs).