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At least 595 records · Page 33

A number of upgrades on RHIC power supply system

This year marks the 15th run for the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Operation of a reliable superconducting magnet power supply system is a key factor of an accelerator’s performance. Over the past 15 years, the RHIC power supply group has made many improvements to increase the machine availability and reduce failures. During these past 15 years of operating RHIC a lot of problems have been solved or addressed. In this paper some of the essential upgrades/improvements are discussed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Heavy-ion injector based on an electron cyclotron ion source for the superconducting linear accelerator of the Rare Isotope Science Project

The injector for the main driver linear accelerator of the Rare Isotope Science Project in Korea, has been developed to allow heavy ions up to uranium to be delivered to the inflight fragmentation system. The critical components of the injector are the superconducting electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion sources, the radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ), and matching systems for low and medium energy beams. We have built superconducting magnets for the ECR ion source, and a prototype with one segment of the RFQ structure, with the aim of developing a design that can satisfy our specifications, demonstrate stable operation, and prove results to compare the design simulation.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

A new bipolar Qtrim power supply system

This year marks the 15th run of RHIC (Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider) operations. The reliability of superconducting magnet power supplies is one of the essential factors in the entire accelerator complex. Besides maintaining existing power supplies and their associated equipment, newly designed systems are also required based on the physicist’s latest requirements. A bipolar power supply was required for this year’s main quadruple trim power supply. This paper will explain the design, prototype, testing, installation and operation of this recently installed power supply system.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing to Identify Locations of Resistive Transitions in REBCO Conductors and Magnets

High-temperature superconductors such as REBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x (REBCO, RE = rare earth) can generate strong magnetic fields that are promising for applications in particle accelerators and compact fusion reactors. Traditionally, voltage taps are installed in superconducting magnets to measure the voltage signals due to resistive transitions. The voltage-tap-based diagnostics is important for the development of magnet technology as it can help pinpoint the locations in the magnet windings that limit the magnet performance. The architecture of the multi-tape REBCO cable such as CORC wires, however, makes it difficult to apply the voltage-tap-based diagnostics to identify the locations of resistive transitions. Distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) has the potential to address this issue. In this paper, we report the measurements of thermal strain along a CORC wire based on optical frequency domain reflectometry with a maximum spatial resolution of 0.65 mm and a temporal resolution of 10 Hz. The optical fiber is co-wound with the CORC wire that is epoxy impregnated. During the test, current was increased until a resistive transition occurred in the conductor. The spectrum shift of the reflected light along the fiber was recorded. The results suggested that with proper thermal isolation from the cryogen, DFOS can be used to identify the locations of resistive transitions in CORC wires and magnets. In conclusion, the results will allow a better understanding of the causes of resistive transitions in REBCO conductors and magnets, which will help improve the REBCO magnet technology.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Non-destructive qualification tests for ITER cryogenic axial insulating breaks

In the ITER superconducting magnets the dielectric separation between the CICC (Cable-In-Conduit Conductors) and the helium supply pipes is made through the so-called insulating breaks (IB). These devices shall provide the required dielectric insulation at a 30 kV level under different types of stresses and constraints: thermal, mechanical, dielectric and ionizing radiations. As part of the R and D program, the ITER Organization launched contracts with industrial companies aimed at the qualification of the manufacturing techniques. After reviewing the main functional aspects, this paper describes and discusses the protocol established for non-destructive qualification tests of the prototypes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Design parameters and commissioning of vertical inserts used for testing the XFEL superconducting cavities

The European XFEL is a new research facility currently under construction at DESY in the Hamburg area in Germany. From 2015 on, it will generate extremely intense X-ray flashes that will be used by researchers from all over the world. The superconducting XFEL linear accelerator consists of 100 accelerator modules with more than 800 RF-cavities inside. The accelerator modules, superconducting magnets and cavities will be tested in the accelerator module test facility (AMTF). This paper gives an overview of the design parameters and the commissioning of the vertical insert, used in two cryostats (XATC) of the AMTF-hall. The Insert serves as a holder for 4 nine-cell cavities. This gives the possibility to cool down 4 cavities to 2K in parallel and, consequently, to reduce the testing time. The following RF measurement, selected as quality check, will be done separately for each cavity. Afterwards the cavities will be warmed up again and will be sent to the accelerator module assembly.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Electromagnetic Interactions of Nuclei at the FCC-hh Collider

At the Future Circular Collider (FCC-hh) at CERN in addition to proton-proton collisions it is planned to study interactions of {sup 2}08Pb nuclei with the collision energy √(s{sub NN})=39.4 TeV, which is 7–8 times higher than that achieved at the LHC. The electromagnetic dissociation (EMD) of {sup 208} Pb nuclei, along with the electron capture resulting from the multiple production of e {sup +} e {sup −} pairs in ultraperipheral collisions at the LHC, lead to a significant luminosity decay, and secondary ions impose a well localized thermal load on superconducting magnets. As expected, such effects are reduced in collisions of light and medium nuclei. In the present work the EMD cross sections for collisions of {sup 40} Ar, {sup 40} Ca, {sup 63} Cu, {sup 78} Kr, {sup 84} Kr, {sup 115} In, {sup 129} Xe, {sup 208} Pb and {sup 238} U at the LHC and the planned FCC-hh were calculated in order to assess the operation conditions of the colliders. The results were compared with results of the RELDIS model, and the uncertainties of calculations of the EMD cross sections associated with using of various approximations of the total nuclear photoabsorption cross sections were estimated.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A compact bellows-driven diamond anvil cell for high-pressure, low-temperature magnetic measurements

We present the design of an efficient bellows-controlled diamond anvil cell that is optimized for use inside the bores of high-field superconducting magnets in helium-3 cryostats, dilution refrigerators, and commercial physical property measurement systems. Design of this non-magnetic pressure cell focuses on in situ pressure tuning and measurement by means of a helium-filled bellows actuator and fiber-coupled ruby fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively. We demonstrate the utility of this pressure cell with ac susceptibility measurements of superconducting, ferromagnetic, and antiferromagnetic phase transitions to pressures exceeding 8 GPa. This cell provides an opportunity to probe charge and magnetic order continuously and with high resolution in the three-dimensional Magnetic Field–Pressure–Temperature parameter space.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Development of the cryogenic system of AEgIS at CERN

The AEgIS (Antimatter Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy) experiment is located at the antiproton decelerator complex of CERN. The main goal of the experiment is to perform the first direct measurement of the Earth’s gravitational acceleration on antihydrogen atoms within 1% precision. The antihydrogen is produced in a cylindrical Penning trap by combining antiprotons with positrons. To reach the precision of 1%, the antihydrogen has to be cooled to 100 mK to reduce its random velocity. A dilution refrigerator is selected to deliver the necessary cooling capacity of 100 μW at 50 mK. The AEgIS cryogenic system basically consists of cryostats for a 1-T and for a 5-T superconducting magnet, a central region cryostat, a dilution refrigerator cryostat and a measurement cryostat with a Moiré deflectometer to measure the gravitational acceleration. In autumn 2012, the 1-T cryostat, 5-T cryostat and central region cryostat were assembled and commissioned. The apparatus is cooled down in eight days using 2500 L of liquid helium and liquid nitrogen. During operation, the average consumption of liquid helium is 150 L⋅day{sup −1} and of liquid nitrogen 5 L⋅day{sup −1}. The temperature sensors at the Penning traps measured 12 K to 18 K, which is higher than expected. Simulations show that this is caused by a bad thermalization of the trap wiring. The implementation of the sub-kelvin region is foreseen for mid-2015. The antihydrogen will be cooled down to 100 mK in an ultra-cold trap consisting of multiple high-voltage electrodes made of sapphire with gold plated electrode sectors.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Comparison of AC Losses of YBCO Circular Pancake Coils and Infinitely Long Stack Approximation

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) coils are key parts of many large-scale AC applications, such as transformers, superconducting magnetic energy storage, and motors. The estimation of AC losses of pancake coils is necessary for optimizing the design of HTS devices and cryogenic systems. To speed up the computation of AC losses, the numerical model of an infinitely long HTS stack is often utilized. An HTS stack is a good approximation of the circular coil only if the coil radius is sufficiently large, since AC losses will exhibit a stronger asymmetry along the radial direction for small values of coil radii. To assess the validation of an infinitely long stack approximation, the comparisons of AC losses between infinitely long stacks and circular coils with different radii are presented. The turn number varies from 10 to 80. We find that the AC losses of HTS circular coils will gradually increase to the same value as an infinitely long stack with increasing coil radii. A new parameter is proposed to quantitatively describe the correctness of infinitely long stack approximation. Finally, a method of AC loss estimation of HTS pancake coils is proposed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Upper limit to magnetism in LaAIO 3 /SrTiO 3 heterostructures

In 2004 Ohtomo and Hwang reported unusually high conductivity in LaAl0 3 and SrTi0 3 bilayer samples. Since then, metallic conduction, superconductivity, magnetism, and coexistence of superconductivity and ferromagnetism have been attributed to LaAl0 3 /SrTi0 3 interfaces. Very recently, two studies have reported large magnetic moments attributed to interfaces from measurement techniques that are unable to distinguish between interfacial and bulk magnetism. Consequently, it is imperative to perform magnetic measurements that by being intrinsically sensitive to interface magnetism are impervious to experimental artifacts suffered by bulk measurements. Using polarized neutron reflectometry we measured the neutron spin dependent reflectivity from four LaAl0 3 /SrTi0 3 superlattices. Our results indicate the upper limit for the magnetization averaged over the lateral dimensions of the sample induced by an 11 T magnetic field at 1.7 K is less than 2 G. SQUID magnetometry of the neutron superlattice samples sporadically finds an enhanced moment (consistent with past reports), possibly due to experimental artifacts. These observations set important restrictions on theories which imply a strongly enhanced magnetism at the interface between LaAI0 3 and SrTi0 3 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Startup of the Kling Center for Proton Therapy

In November of 2011 Mevion Medical Systems (formerly Still River Systems) delivered the Mevion S250 proton therapy system accelerator to the Kling Center for Proton Therapy at the Siteman Cancer Center in Saint Louis. The Mevion system is unique, with an in-room gantry-mounted superconducting synchrocyclotron. This is the first true single-room proton therapy system and it has a greatly reduced size as well as cost. A month after its arrival, the installation was complete and the superconducting magnet was ramped up to full current ({approx}2000 amperes). In March of 2012, full energy beam (250 MeV) was extracted and radiation surveys were performed to verify the shielding. Once that was shown to be sufficient, Mevion began fine-tuning the system to provide a highly isocentric beam from the 50 ton system. In June of 2012 the field-shaping system (energy degraders, contoured scatterers and range modulators) were installed and measurements of the clinical beam properties commenced. Monte Carlo simulations (MCNPX) have been performed for the system and validated with beam measurements done at the factory. These simulations have been used for a preliminary commissioning of our treatment planning system. Additionally, predictions of the neutron background have been made and validated with factory measurements. Final commissioning of the treatment planning system and verification of the neutron background will be accomplished with measurements made later in 2012. Based on current progress, patient treatments are scheduled to begin in late 2012. Beam and radiation background data will be presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Magnetic suspension and balance system advanced study

An improved compact design for a superconducting magnetic suspension and balance system for an 8 ft. x 8 ft. transonic wind tunnel is developed. The original design of an MSBS in NASA Cr-3802 utilized 14 external superconductive coils and a superconductive solenoid in the airplane test model suspended in a wind tunnel. The improvements are in the following areas: test model solenoid options, dynamic force limits on the model, magnet cooling options, structure and cryogenic designs, power supply specifications, and cost and performance evaluations. The improvements are: MSBS cost reduction of 28%, weight; reduction of 43%, magnet system ampere-meter reduction of 38%, helium liquifier capacity reduction by 33%, magnet system stored energy reduction by 55%, AC loss to liquid helium reduced by 76%, system power supply reduced by 68%, test coil pole strength increased by 19%, wing magnetization increased by 40%, and control frequency limit increased by 200% from 10 Hz to 30 Hz. The improvements are due to: magnetic holmium coil forms in the test model, better rare earth permanent magnets in the wings, fiberglass-epoxy structure replacing stainless steel, better coil configuration, and new saddle roll coil design.

Boom, R. W.↗

The SHMS 11 GeV/c spectrometer in Hall C at Jefferson Lab

The Super High Momentum Spectrometer (SHMS) has been built for Hall C at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab). With a momentum capability reaching 11 GeV/ c , the SHMS provides measurements of charged particles produced in electron-scattering experiments using the maximum available beam energy from the upgraded Jefferson Lab accelerator. The SHMS is an ion-optics magnetic spectrometer comprised of a series of new superconducting magnets which transport charged particles through an array of triggering, tracking, and particle-identification detectors that measure momentum, energy, angle and position in order to allow kinematic reconstruction of the events back to their origin at the scattering target. The detector system is protected from background radiation by a sophisticated shielding enclosure. The entire spectrometer is mounted on a rotating support structure which permits measurements to be taken with a large acceptance over laboratory scattering angles from 5.5° to 40°, thus allowing a wide range of low cross-section experiments to be conducted. Finally, these experiments complement and extend the previous Hall C research program to higher energies.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Conceptual design of a 0.1 W magnetic refrigerator for operation between 10 K and 2 K

The design of a magnetic refrigerator for space applications is discussed. The refrigerator is to operate in the temperature range of 10 K-2 K, at a 2 K cooling power of 0.10 W. As in other magnetic refrigerators operating in this temperature range GGG has been selected as the refrigerant. Crucial to the design of the magnetic refrigerator are the heat switches at both the hot and cold ends of the GGG pill. The 2 K heat switch utilizes a narrow He II filled gap. The 10 K heat switch is based on a narrow helium gas gap. For each switch, the helium in the gap is cycled by means of activated carbon pumps. The design concentrates on reducing the switching times of the pumps and the switches as a whole. A single stage system (one magnet; one refrigerant pill) is being developed. Continuous cooling requires the fully stationary system to have at least two stages running parallel/out of phase with each other. In order to conserve energy, it is intended to recycle the magnetic energy between the magnets. To this purpose, converter networks designed for superconducting magnetic energy storage are being studied.

Helvensteijn, Ben P. M.↗

Flightweight Carbon Nanotube Magnet Technology

Virtually all plasma-based systems for advanced airborne/spaceborne propulsion and power depend upon the future availability of flightweight magnet technology. Unfortunately, current technology for resistive and superconducting magnets yields system weights that tend to counteract the performance advantages normally associated with advanced plasma-based concepts. The ongoing nanotechnology revolution and the continuing development of carbon nanotubes (CNT), however, may ultimately relieve this limitation in the near future. Projections based on recent research indicate that CNTs may achieve current densities at least three orders of magnitude larger than known superconductors and mechanical strength two orders of magnitude larger than steel. In fact, some published work suggests that CNTs are superconductors. Such attributes imply a dramatic increase in magnet performance-to-weight ratio and offer real hope for the construction of true flightweight magnets. This Technical Publication reviews the technology status of CNTs with respect to potential magnet applications and discusses potential techniques for using CNT wires and ropes as a winding material and as an integral component of the containment structure. The technology shortfalls are identified and a research and technology strategy is described that addresses the following major issues: (1) Investigation and verification of mechanical and electrical properties, (2) development of tools for manipulation and fabrication on the nanoscale, (3) continuum/molecular dynamics analysis of nanotube behavior when exposed to practical bending and twisting loads, and (4) exploration of innovative magnet fabrication techniques that exploit the natural attributes of CNTs.

Chapman, J. N.↗

A 10 Kelvin 3 Tesla Magnet for Space Flight ADR Systems

Many future space flight missions are expected to use adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators (ADRs) to reach detector operating temperatures well below one Kelvin. The goal is to operate each ADR with a mechanical cooler as its heat sink, thus avoiding the use of liquid cryogens. Although mechanical coolers are being developed to operate at temperatures of 6 Kelvin and below, there is a large efficiency cost associated with operating them at the bottom of their temperature range. For the multi-stage ADR system being developed at Goddard Space Flight Center, the goal is to operate with a 10 Kelvin mechanical cooler heat sink. With currently available paramagnetic materials, the highest temperature ADR stage in such a system will require a magnetic field of approximately three Tesla. Thus the goal is to develop a small, lightweight three Tesla superconducting magnet for operation at 10 Kelvin. It is important that this magnet have a low current/field ratio. Because traditional NbTi magnets do not operate safely above about six Kelvin, a magnet with a higher Tc is required. The primary focus has been on Nb3Sn magnets. Since standard Nb3Sn wire must be coated with thick insulation, wound on a magnet mandrel and then reacted, standard Nb,Sn magnets are quite heavy and require high currents Superconducting Systems developed a Nb3Sn wire which can be drawn down to small diameter, reacted, coated with thin insulation and then wound on a small diameter coil form. By using this smaller wire and operating closer to the wire s critical current, it should be possible to reduce the mass and operating current of 10 Kelvin magnets. Using this "react-then-wind" technology, Superconducting Systems has produced prototype 10 Kelvin magnets. This paper describes the development and testing of these magnets and discusses the outlook for including 10 Kelvin magnets on space-flight missions.

Tuttle, Jim↗

Magnetic pinning in a superconducting film by a ferromagnetic layer with stripe domains

A magnetic study of superconductor/ferromagnet bilayers was performed by hysteresis loops and temperature-dependent magnetization measurements. The superconductor/ferromagnet bilayers consist of a Nb film deposited on a Py film with weak perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. By comparing the temperature-dependent magnetization data obtained on samples with different ferromagnetic layer thickness, a decrease of the magnetic pinning with increasing thickness of the ferromagnetic layer has been found. This is confirmed by the reduction of the Nb film critical current density at low fields extracted by using the magnetic irreversibility of the hysteresis loops. Here, the reduction of the pinning can be related to the increase of the stripe width in the ferromagnetic layer observed by magnetic force microscopy (MFM) measurements.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗