Non-intercepting electron beam transverse diagnostics with Optical Diffraction Radiation at the DESY FLASH Facility

Since knowledge of the characteristics of the accelerated beams is of a great importance for the successful development of the next generation light sources and linear colliders, characterization of the transverse phase space for high charge density and high energy electron beams is a fundamental requirement in many particle accelerator facilities. The development of suitable beam diagnostics, non-invasive and non-intercepting, is necessary to measure the properties of such beams. Optical diffraction radiation (ODR) is considered as one of the most promising candidates, as shown by the interest of many laboratories all around the world. An experiment based on the detection of ODR has been set up at DESY FLASH Facility to measure the electron beam transverse parameters. The radiation is emitted by a 700 MeV electron beam passing through a 0.5 mm or 1 mm slit. The slit opening is produced by chemical etching on a screen made of aluminum deposited on a silicon substrate. Radiation is then detected by a high sensitivity CCD camera. The status of the experiment and preliminary results are reported.