• W. Decking
  DESY, Hamburg

X-ray Free-Electron Lasers facilities are planned or already under construction around the world. This talk covers the X-Ray Free-Electron Lasers LCLS (SLAC), European XFEL (DESY) and SCSS (Spring8). All aim for self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) FEL radiation of approximately 0.1 nm wavelengths. The required excellent electron beam qualities pose challenges to the accelerator physicists. Space charge forces, coherent synchrotron radiation and wakefields can deteriorate the beam quality. The accelerator physics and technological challenges behind each of the projects will be reviewed, covering the critical components low-emittance electron gun, bunch-compressors, accelerating structures and undulator systems.