# A system for online beam emittance measurements and proton beam characterization

## TL;DR

This paper introduces $^{4}$PrOB$ackslash$varepsilon$aM, an innovative online system utilizing multiple beam profilers for rapid transverse emittance measurement and proton beam characterization, enhancing real-time beam analysis and optimization.

## Contribution

The paper presents a novel online measurement system for beam emittance using four UniBEaM profilers and compares it with traditional quadrupole methods, demonstrating improved efficiency and accuracy.

## Key findings

- Good agreement between the new and traditional emittance measurement methods.
- Successful characterization of the proton energy distribution using aluminum absorbers.
- Simulation of the beam transport line enabled online parameter tuning.

## Abstract

A system for online measurement of the transverse beam emittance was developed. It is named $^{4}$PrOB$\varepsilon$aM (4-Profiler Online Beam Emittance Measurement) and was conceived to measure the emittance in a fast and efficient way using the multiple beam profiler method. The core of the system is constituted by four consecutive UniBEaM profilers, which are based on silica fibers passing across the beam. The $^{4}$PrOB$\varepsilon$aM system was deployed for characterization studies of the 18~MeV proton beam produced by the IBA Cyclone 18 MeV cyclotron at Bern University Hospital (Inselspital). The machine serves daily radioisotope production and multi-disciplinary research, which is carried out with a specifically conceived Beam Transport Line (BTL). The transverse RMS beam emittance of the cyclotron was measured as a function of several machine parameters, such as the magnetic field, RF peak voltage, and azimuthal angle of the stripper. The beam emittance was also measured using the method based on the quadrupole strength variation. The results obtained with both techniques were compared and a good agreement was found. In order to characterize the longitudinal dynamics, the proton energy distribution was measured. For this purpose, a method was developed based on aluminum absorbers of different thicknesses, a UniBEaM detector, and a Faraday cup. The results were an input for a simulation of the BTL developed in the MAD-X software. This tool allows machine parameters to be tuned online and the beam characteristics to be optimized for specific applications.