Can coherent UV radiation be obtained from existing electron storage rings?

Recently built electron storage rings provide very high transverse electron densities in their low- beta insertions. This suggests the feasibility of laser action of an electron storage ring at optical and even shorter wavelengths. Using a semiclassical theory of induced synchrotron radiation, it is shown that special bending devices should in fact allow for light amplification in this spectral range. The special bending unit should be an electrostatic deflector providing an intense electric field of Coulomb type. Lower wavelength limits for laser action are estimated using reported or design performances of SPEAR I and DORIS. For the latter machine this limit is of the order of 3000 AA, provided that an electric field strength of 10 kV/cm could be achieved and the deflector is placed in a low- beta insertion. (10 refs).