A laser-based beam profile monitor for the SLC/SLD interaction region

Beam size estimates made using beam-beam deflections are used for optimization of the Stanford Linear Collider (SLC) electron-positron beam sizes. Typical beam sizes and intensities expected for 1996 operations are 2.1×0.6 μm (x,y) at 4.0×1010 particles per pulse. Conventional profile monitors, such as scanning wires, fail at charge densities well below this. Since the beam-beam deflection does not provide single beam size information, another method is needed for interaction point (IP) beam size optimization. The laser-based profile monitor uses a finely focused, 350-nm, wavelength-tripled yttrium-lithium-flouride (YLF) laser pulse that traverses the particle beam path about 29 cm away from the e+/e− IP. Compton scattered photons and degraded e+/e− are detected as the beam is steered across the laser pulse. The laser pulse has a transverse size of 380 nm and a Rayleigh range of about 5 μm. This is adequate for present or planned SLC beams. Design and preliminary results will be presented.