Novel Digital Beam-Current Detector with Ultra-High Precision and Ultra-Large Dynamic Range

65195 A previously developed transient digitizer, used in measurements during nuclear energy experiments, provides ultra-wide bandwidth performance that is unsurpassed by any other digitizer based on analog-to-digital converters. However, setup and control electronics are required in order to transform the digitizer from a laboratory tool to a commercial instrument. This project will develop a custom software interface, together with the setup and control electronics, that will transform the current transient digitizer chip into a turnkey instrument operable by any technician. Phase I will build a compact control unit using standard electronics and an interface. The control unit will be demonstrated in a semi-automatic operational mode and used to measure the performance of fabricated digitizer chips. The procedures and algorithms for setting up and optimizing chip performance will be codified to enable automatic operation in Phase II. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: The transient digitizer should be useful for measuring the bunch profile of accelerator beams such as for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). It also should be useful for both laser and target diagnostic work at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Finally, the commercial communications industry requires the capability to digitize very high-speed communications signals to extend the reach of fiber communications systems.