Development of REBCO-Based Magnets for Plasma Physics Research

• Published in: IEEE transactions on applied superconductivity Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 1 - 5
• Main Authors: Michael, Philip C., Vieira, Rui, Sorbom, Brandon N., Wright, Graham M., Beck, William K., Terry, David R., Leccacorvi, Rick, Irby, James H., Minervini, Joseph V., Marmar, Earl S., Whyte, Dennis G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.06.2017; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Coils (windings); Conduction cooling; conduction-cooled superconductor; Conductors; Critical current density (superconductivity); Devices; Flux density; High temperature superconductors; Liquid helium; Liquid nitrogen; Magnetic flux; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetism; Magnets; no-insulation double-pancake; Pancake coils; Plasma; Plasma physics; Plasmas; REBCO; Resistance; Superconducting magnets; Toroidal plasmas
• ISSN: 1051-8223; 1558-2515
• DOI: 10.1109/TASC.2016.2626978

The accessible performance range for most magnetic confinement plasma physics devices expands markedly with increasing magnetic flux density. The MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center is investigating the use of high-temperature superconductors as a low cost means to significantly enhance the performance characteristics of small to moderate scale devices. Our initial investigation emphasized the no-insulation winding technique as a means to produce highly stable dc magnets for devices operating at moderate to high magnetic flux density. We present design, manufacture, and test results for a double pancake coil wound from a 500 m length of 12 mm wide REBCO tape. The coil provides on-axis magnetic flux density within an 8 cm clear bore in excess of 0.5 T when operated in liquid nitrogen and in excess of 6 T when operated in liquid helium. The ultimate aim of the program is to develop conduction-cooled HTS coil modules that can be used for both linear and toroidal plasma devices.