Helios: a new type of linear/helical undulator

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Materials Science
• Accelerator Technology

Background:

• Undulators are critical components in synchrotron light sources, generating intense X-ray beams.
• Existing undulators primarily produce linear polarization, limiting certain experimental capabilities.
• The development of versatile polarization states is essential for cutting-edge research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a new class of undulator devices.
• To detail the design enabling both linear and helical polarization.
• To analyze the performance characteristics and electron beam interactions of these novel undulators.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis of magnetic field configurations.
• Simulation of undulator performance metrics (spectral flux, brilliance).
• Evaluation of electron beam dynamics within the undulator.

Main Results:

• Successful design of an undulator producing tunable linear and/or helical polarization.
• Detailed characterization of magnetic fields, power, spectral flux, and brilliance.
• Demonstration of effective interaction with the electron beam.

Conclusions:

• The new undulator class offers enhanced capabilities for synchrotron radiation users.
• The Helios undulator, installed at ESRF, serves as a practical implementation and validation.
• This advancement opens new avenues for experiments requiring specific polarization states.