The CpFM, an in-vacuum Cherenkov beam monitor for UA9 at SPS

International audienceThe use of bent crystals for beam manipulation in particle accelerators is a well-assessed concept rapidly evolving into practical application. The experiments of the UA9 collaboration at the CERN-SPS have played a key role for a quantitative understanding of channeling and volume reflection mechanisms. Investigation of the channeling process close to a circulating beam ideally requires in vacuum detectors resolving the single particle, which should be located inside the vacuum pipe itself. Cherenkov radiators are potential candidates for such functionality due the reduced electro-magnetic interaction of the radiator material with the circulating charges and their compatibility with vacuum requirements in the beam pipe. For this purpose, we developed a device called Cherenkov detector for proton Flux Measurement (CpFM) that aims at counting the number of deflected protons of the beam halo surrounding the circulating beam with an accuracy of 15%. After a detailed description of the detection chain and its simulation, we present results of beam tests of different configurations, the calibration of the final device and the results of its first operation in the SPS