A Cryogenic Current Comparator for the Low-Energy Antiproton Facilities at CERN

Several laboratories have shown the potential of Cryogenic Current Comparators (CCC) for an absolute measurement of beam intensity down to the nA level. This type of current monitor relies on the use of Superconducting QUantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometers and superconductor magnetic shields. CERN, in collaboration with GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Jena University, and the Helmholtz Institute Jena are currently developing an improved version of such a current monitor for the Antiproton Decelerator (AD) and Extra Low ENergy Antiproton (ELENA) rings. The primary goals are a better current measurement accuracy and overall enhanced system availability. This contribution presents the design of the CCC, an estimation of its resolution, dynamic limitations of the SQUID, as well as a description of the modifications to the coupling circuit and cryostat that were required to optimize the monitor for the anticipated beam parameters. First results from beam measurements are also presented. To our knowledge these are the first CCC beam current measurements performed in a synchrotron and the first to be performed with both coasting and bunched beams.