Channeling of high-energy particles in bent crystals -: Experiments at the CERN SPS

During the latest decade, experiments have been performed at the CERN SPS to investigate the use of high-energy channeled nuclei in bent crystals for extraction, beam splitting and beam bending. An understanding of channeling in a bent crystal with extraction and deflection efficiencies for different energies, crystal types and ions has been developed. Furthermore, the long-standing question of radiation damage has been addressed with encouraging outcome. This makes extrapolations possible for the construction of, e.g., an extraction device for the LHC at CERN, RHIC at Brookhaven or new splitting elements in high-energy beams. We present the main results obtained and discuss existing and future applications of bent crystals in high-energy physics. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.