Non-destructive heavy metal jet profilometer for high power beams

"Scanning wire" is the most common method of beam profile measurement, where thin wire is transported across the beam and secondary electrons or radiation are detected. It cannot be used for beams with high power density because the wire cannot sustain a heat load. A possible solution is to substitute wire by a low-density jet of a metal vapor. Profilometers of this type were successfully used in the ion storage rings, but background electrons from residual gas ionization can pose a limit in a less clean vacuum environment. Alternative configuration of the device based on the separation of the jet material ions from the background is suggested and analyzed. Technical feasibility for the SNS MEBT parameters is demonstrated.