Random errors in undulators and their effects on the radiation spectrum

Some of the damaging effects of random errors in undulator yields on the radiation produced are considered. Undulators and wigglers are central components of free-electron lasers and proposed new high-brightness synchrotron radiation light sources. An approximate theory of the effects of random field errors is derived, along with limiting conditions on its validity. The functions' arguments are simple combinations of the basic undulator parameters. Simple numerical simulation methods are presented, and numerical results are compared with the predictions of the universal functions. Finally, possible solutions to the problem of random errors in undulators are discussed.