  The usage of optical transition radiation for profile monitoring of
relativistic electron beams is well known. This report presents the case for
beam diagnostic application of optical transition radiation for
non-relativistic ion beams. The angular distribution of the transition
radiation emitted from few target materials for ion beam irradiation is shown.
In addition to expected linearly polarized transition radiation in the plane of
observation, a large amount (roughly factor 20) of unpolarized radiation is
observed towards grazing angles. The unpolarized radiation has the
characteristics of transition radiation and is understood as the transition
radiation generated from a "strongly" rough target surface. This increase in
amount of radiation towards the detector can be used advantageously towards
transverse profile measurements and potentially other beam parameters. Further
systematic effects such as the dependence of photon yield on beam current,
comparison of the measured transverse profiles with Secondary electron emission
based grid (SEM grid), target heating etc. are also discussed.
