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Why are edge fields in undolators necessary to comply with Maxwell?

Physics Asked on May 14, 2021

In our lecture scripts there is a paragraph about the magnetic field of an undulator:

"Its [the undulators] magentic field can be described by
begin{equation}
vec{B}equiv-B_0 begin{pmatrix} 0 sin k_u z 0 end{pmatrix}
end{equation}

where $k_u$ is the undulator wave number
defined by $?_? = 2??_?$. Note that this definition injures Maxwell’s equation [$nablacdot vec B = 0$], but this does not
play a role here since „compensating“ edge fields exist that can be neglected for this definition."

How exactly does this B-field violate $nablacdot vec B = 0$?

begin{align}
nablacdot vec B &= partial_x cdot 0 + partial_y (-B_0 sin k_u z)+partial_z cdot 0
&= 0
end{align}

What am I missing? If the undulator was infinitely big, there would be no edge fields but the B-field would still be there. Then how can it violate Maxwell’s equations?

One Answer

Maxwell laws prescribe that the magnetic field lines must be closed, closing them at infinity is kind of a math trick. While you are right saying that the field satisfies $nablacdot vec B = 0$, such field cannot be produced by a piece of hardware in the real world.

For the sake of the beam dynamics that is a good approximation at the center of the undulator, but as soon as you move away in the x or y directions, other components have to appear.

Correct answer by DarioP on May 14, 2021

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