High efficiency multi-pass proton beam extraction with a bent crystal at the SPS

Recent measurements of 120 GeV proton extraction by means of a bent silicon crystal at the CERN-SPS accelerator are summarized. The existence of multi-pass extraction has been proven by blocking first-pass extraction: using a crystal covered with an amorphous layer, extracted beam with high efficiency was observed, which provides a direct proof for the importance of the multi-pass mechanism. This opens new possibilities in the design and optimization of a bent crystal extraction scheme.