Effect of secondary electrons suppression on emittance measurement of an intense, low-energy beam.

Transversal emittance measurements of intense low-energy beams involve use of collimators. As most of the beam is stopped by a collimator, a question arises whether the special conditions in the vicinity of the collimator influence emittance measurement. In particular, the secondary electrons emitted from the slit surface may affect the measurement of the beam phase distribution. We have observed significant modification in the measured phase space distribution of a 5-6 mA DC proton beam at the Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility low-energy transport after application of a weak magnetic field in the plane of the slit collimator. The periphery region of the phase distribution was mostly affected. The overall effect on the emittance value was as large as 20%.