Ditanet - an International Network in Beam Diagnostics

Beam diagnostics systems are essential constituents of any particle accelerator; they reveal the properties of a beam and how it behaves in a machine. Without an appropriate set of diagnostic elements, it would simply be impossible to operate any accelerator complex, let alone optimize its performance. Beam diagnostics is also a rich field in which a great variety of physical effects are made use of and consequently provides a wide interdisciplinary base for the training of researchers. The DITANET consortium develops beyond state-of-the-art beam diagnostic techniques for hadron and electron accelerators and trained more than 20 researchers between 2008 and 2012. This contribution gives examples from the network's research outcomes in beam instrumentation and diagnostics.