A Single-Layer Race-Track Magnet Using a Niobium-Tin Conductor

Abstract

To study the feasibility of practical Nb₃Sn dipole magnets for accelerators, a race-track coil magnet has been designed and built. Superconducting magnets made of NbTi/Cu wires are now used in the Fermilab accelerator¹, while the Nb3Sn/Cu magnets are still in the development stage. In spite of the brittleness of A-15 compounds, Nb₃Sn/Cu superconducting wire is superior to NbTi/Cu wire with a higher critical temperature Tc and field Hc₂-Therefore, if the mechanical properties of the wire could be significantly improved, Nb₃Sn/Cu stranded wire would be one of the most promising wires for future accelerator magnets. We are presently undertaking the fabrication of Nb₃Sn/Cu accelerator magnets. As the first step toward this goal, the manufacturing process and performance characteristics of a race-track coil magnet are investigated and the results reported here.

This work was partly supported by the Japan/US Cooperation Program in the Field of High Energy Physics.