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Experimental demonstration of a tunable microwave undulator
Sami Tantawi1, Muhammad Shumail1, Jeffery Neilson1
1SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|May 13, 2014
Summary
Researchers developed a novel microwave undulator for X-ray light sources, overcoming limitations of static magnetic undulators. This Thomson scattering device offers tunable emissions and faster control for future light source generations.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Accelerator Science
- Optics
Background:
- Static magnetic undulators limit X-ray light source performance due to fixed short periods and lack of dynamic control.
- Existing undulator technologies face fundamental constraints in achieving shorter periods and real-time adjustments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate a novel short-period microwave undulator.
- To overcome the limitations of static magnetic undulators for X-ray light sources.
- To achieve tunable spontaneous emission and seeded coherent radiation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Thomson scattering device as a microwave undulator.
- Experimentally validated the performance of the novel undulator design.
Main Results:
- Achieved an equivalent undulator period (λu) of 13.9 mm.
- Generated an equivalent magnetic field of 0.65 T.
- Demonstrated tunable spontaneous emission and seeded coherent radiation.
Conclusions:
- The novel microwave undulator overcomes limitations of static magnetic undulators.
- This technology promises shorter undulator periods, large apertures, and fast dynamic control for future X-ray light sources.
