Variable-period permanent magnet undulators

To change the wavelength of undulator radiation, variation of the undulator magnetic field amplitude is frequently applied. Another option is changing the undulator period. A corresponding scheme is described. Both the period and number of periods can be changed. For a set of undulator sections (as in the x-ray free-electron lasers ), the mechanical motion of the periods allows doing without phase shifters between the undulator sections. Magnetic field calculations for some undulator parameters of interest were performed. Numerous advantages of the new undulators (fixed gap, strong dependence of the undulator radiation wavelength on the period, relatively low field amplitude variation, and variable number of periods) look very attractive. The prospects for this new type of undulators are discussed.