High dynamic range beam profile measurements

In future high intensity, high energy accelerators, beam loss has to be minimized to maximize performance and reduce activation of accelerator components. It is imperative to have a clear understanding of the mechanisms that can lead to halo formation and to have the possibility to test available theoretical models with an adequate experimental setup. Measurements based on optical transition radiation (OTR) provide an interesting opportunity for high resolution measurements of the transverse beam profile. In order to be applicable for measurements within the beam halo region, it is of utmost importance that a high dynamic range is covered by the image acquisition system. The existing camera system as it is installed in the CLIC Test Facility (CTF3) is compared to a step-by-step measurement with a photo multiplier tube (PMT) and measurements with a cooled charge injection device (CID) camera. The latter acquisition technique provides an innovative and highly flexible approach to high dynamic range measurements and is presented in some detail.