The radiation from fast electron beams passing through a succession of electric or magnetic fields of alternating polarity is examined. The radiation of maximum frequency is emitted in the forward direction. If the deflecting fields are not too large, a semiqualitative argument shows that the maximum frequency is the lowest possible harmonic. The frequencies emitted are determined by studying the Doppler effect, and the angular distribution of radiated energy as well as the total radiation are calculated in a simple straight-forward manner with reference to well-known formulas of special relativity. The question of the coherence of the radiation is discussed. The spectral distribution of radiated energy is then calculated more exactly. It is concluded that several applications of the radiation appear possible. A scheme for obtaining millimeter-waves of considerable power is outlined. The upper limit of the power in a band extending down to a wave-length of 1 millimeter is calculated to be of the order of several kilowatts for a beam of one ampere and an energy of 1.5 megavolt. The use of the radiation for speed monitoring of beams with energies up to 1000 megavolt is discussed.

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The results of some experiments on millimeter wave and light generation by means of an undulator are described. After a brief survey of the theoretical background the design of a magnet system is discussed. An experiment is described in which a 100-Mev electron beam from the Stanford linear accelerator passed through the undulator. Light radiated by the beam was observed and the plane of polarization determined. A small linear accelerator with good bunching action was used for an experiment on millimeter wave generation. At a beam energy of 3 Mev, radiation in a wavelength band below 1.9 millimeters was observed. A peak power output of the order of one watt was obtained. Millimeter waves generated in the accelerator tube were also observed.