First results on proton extraction from the CERN SPS with a bent crystal

Abstract The feasibility of extracting protons from the halo of a high energy beam by means of a bent silicon crystal has been investigated. Protons diffusing from a GeV beam circulating in the SPS at CERN have been extracted at an angle of 8.5 mrad. Efficiencies of abour 10 percent, orders of magnitude higher than the values achieved previously, have been measured. The present results are promising in view of beam extraction from future multi-TeV proton accelerators.