THOAI2
LBNL, Berkeley, California, USA
Undulator technology plays a critical role in FEL performance. The desire to provide a specific range of photon wavelengths for science applications constrains the design space of electron beam energy and undulator tuning capabilities. In particular, the coupling between photon wavelength, beam energy, and undulator period and strength indicates that undulator technology is a major cost driver in the design of FEL facilities. Superconducting undulators have the potential to significantly improve upon performance of current state-of-the-art undulator technologies being implemented in the first FEL facilities. Here we review the status of superconducting undulator technology, including developments in the areas of helical, planar, and variable polarizing superconducting undulator concepts at a variety of laboratories around the world. Implications of superconducting undulator performance for FEL applications are described. Finally, the major technological hurdles that remain to be addressed prior to implementation in FEL facilities are outlined, together with a summary of current R&D efforts.
