A variable-period permanent-magnet undulator which is applicable not only to a planar undulator but also to a helical undulator, in which permanent-magnets and ferromagnetic substances are alternately arranged, and the ferromagnetic substance interposed between the permanent-magnets is saturated to thus enable the magnets to be effectively spaced apart from each other by the repulsive force between the permanent-magnets, thereby adjusting the period of the magnetic field in an easy and precise manner.