The design of a class of short period superconducting undulators is presented. We begin with a parameter-based analysis that provides insight into potential device performance as a function of the properties of superconducting materials. We present data on candidate low-temperature superconducting materials and the motivation to consider low-copper fraction, high Jc materials. Measured data on recent Nb3Sn conductors is provided, together with wire and cable design issues that are tailored for undulator applications. Key design concerns are then addressed, in particular the quench protection system limitations and the system performance. Progress on the construction and testing of a prototype 30mm period device is described.

An R&D effort is underway at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to develop the technology of Nb 3Sn superconducting undulators (SCUs). Issues relating to the selection of the appropriate conductor are discussed. The design and fabrication of SCUs using Nb 3Sn is presented. Two prototype devices have been designed and fabricated at LBNL. The first device concentrated on basic fabrication issues and on magnet protection, a key concern due to extremely high copper current densities during a quench. Test on the first prototype demonstrated that such devices can be passively protected in a scalable manner. The second device incorporated design improvements as well as trim coils that are designed to serve as the basic element of a future active phase error correction approach. Preliminary tests on the second device are presented. The trim coils were successfully tested at a variety of field levels. Two quench runs were performed, both occurring at ∼70% of short-sample J c. Stability issues associated with flux-jumps and possible epoxy cracking are discussed. © 2005 IEEE.