Linear Damping Systems for the International Linear Collider

The International Linear Collider (ILC) requires very low transverse emittance beams in order to realize the specified high luminosity. These beams are conventionally produced using radiation damping in specially designed damping rings. A linear damping system, consisting of alternating wigglers and accelerating structures arranged in a straight line, can be considered to replace, or to augment, conventional damping rings. In this paper, the basic features, feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages, of such systems, as applied to the International Linear Collider, will be discussed.