Feasibility of OTR imaging of non-relativistic ions at GSI

TL;DR

This study evaluates the potential of optical transition radiation (OTR) for non-invasive beam profiling of non-relativistic ions at GSI, suggesting it could be a viable method for high-intensity ion beams.

Contribution

First assessment of OTR imaging feasibility for non-relativistic ion beams, highlighting charge state effects and potential for minimally intercepting beam diagnostics.

Findings

OTR signals could be comparable to electron cases at GSI.

Ion charge state critically affects photon production.

Potential for further experiments to optimize the technique.

Abstract

The feasibility of using the optical transition radiation (OTR) generated as a 11.4- to 300-MeV/\mu ion beam passes through a single metal conducting plane for a minimally intercepting beam profile monitor for GSI/Darmstadt has been evaluated for the first time. Although these are non-relativistic beams, their beta and gamma values are similar to the 80-keV electron-beam imaging studies previously done on the CTF3 injector. With anticipated beam intensities of 109 to 1011 particles per pulse and the predicted charge-squared dependence of OTR, the ion charge state becomes a critical factor for photon production. The OTR signal from the ion charge integrated over the video field time should be comparable to or larger than the CTF3 electron case. These signal strengths will allow a series of experiments to be done that should further elucidate the working regime of this technique.