3D Density Scans of a Supersonic Gas Jet for Beam Profile Monitoring

A beam profile monitor based on a supersonic gas jet was successfully tested at the Cockcroft Institute. This monitor can be used for a large variety of beams over a large energy range, including high intensity/high energy beams with large destructive power which make the use of many commonly used diagnostics impossible, and beams with a short life time which require minimum interference of the diagnostics. The achievable resolution of this type of monitor depends on the jet thickness and homogeneity. Detailed knowledge of the jet density profile is hence of high importance. In this contribution we present how a moveable vacuum gauge was successfully used to investigate the 3D density distribution of the jet. We compare the experimental data to results from simulations and discuss how the findings can help further improve of the overall jet design.