e+e- polarimetry at LEP

The design of a fast Compton-scattering laser polarimeter for LEP is outlined. Although the design is optimized for LEP at 50 GeV/beam, general considerations are extended to LEP energies up to 100 GeV/beam. Besides a recall of the physics of the polarimeter the study includes considerations on the background and consequent design of the layout, the optimization of the laser-electron beam interaction region, the specifications of the laser to fit the LEP energy range and an overview of the devices to be used as detectors for the high energy backscattered γ-beam. A 50% polarization level is expected to be measured in a few seconds with an accuracy of about 3%. (orig.)