Designing Superconducting Magnets: A Beginner's Guide

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the basics of designing superconducting magnets, particularly for guiding particles. Participants share resources, personal experiences, and insights into the theory and practical applications of superconducting magnets in particle accelerators.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks recommendations for resources and papers on superconducting magnet design, expressing a desire to learn the basic theory and design principles.
  • Another participant mentions the possibility of purchasing YBCO superconductors and suggests options for generating liquid nitrogen.
  • A participant with experience in building the Tevatron collider provides insights into different designs of superconducting magnets used in particle accelerators, highlighting variations such as cooling methods and materials used in the Tevatron and LHC.
  • Links to comprehensive articles and books on superconducting magnets and their applications in particle accelerators are shared, including specific chapters from Humphries' book and a design report from CERN.
  • Discussion includes the importance of understanding critical magnetic fields and the behavior of different types of superconductors, noting that some may quench at low magnetic fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of various resources and insights shared, but there is no consensus on a single approach or resource for learning about superconducting magnets, reflecting a diversity of opinions and experiences.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with the subject, and there are references to specific technical details that may require further exploration or clarification. The discussion does not resolve the complexities of superconducting magnet design.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in superconducting magnet design, particularly those with a background in physics and mathematics, as well as students or professionals looking for resources in particle accelerator technology.

DukeLuke
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I'm trying to learn the basics of designing superconducting magnets for guiding particles, but I'm having a hard time knowing where to start. I don't have a background in this field (besides EM classes). Right now I'm thinking about ordering "Superconducting Magnets" by Wilson and studying material from a free MIT course, but I'm hoping that someone in the field can recommend more resources/papers. I know it's a broad question but I would like to learn the basic theory and design. I have a background in physics and math and can handle material at or around the graduate student level. Thanks!
 
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I believe it's actually possible to buy YBCO (Tc ~= 90K) and then buy liquid nitrogen or buidl your own liquid nitrogen generator for ~$500
 
I helped build the Tevatron collider at Fermilab, but I never heard of Martin Wilson. Where did he come from?

If you want a comprehensive article on the design of the main bending magnets in the CERN LHC (Large Hadron Collider) Design Report, read

https://edms.cern.ch/file/445839/5/Vol_1_Chapter_7.pdf

There are large variations in the design of superconducting magnets for accelerators; For example, the Tevatron used warm iron, the LHC uses cold iron. Tevatron used liquid helium cooling, the LHC uses superfluid helium, etc.

If you want a good review of particle accelerator applications of magnets generally, read chaps 6,7,8 of Humphries' book

http://www.fieldp.com/cpa.html (free download)

If I come across a good book, I will post a link to it.

[added] Look at "Superconducting Accelerator Magnets" by K-H Mess, Schmuser, and Wolff.

[added] Martin Wilson is from Rutherford, so he is OK

[added] Be sure to read about the lower and upper critical (magnetic) fields, and type I and II superconductors. Some superconductors will quench (go normal) at very low magnetic fields. A good superconducting cable for accelerator magnet (like the LHC) should be able to withstand 7 or 8 Tesla, minimum.

Bob S
 
Last edited:
Thank you Bob S, these suggestions are very helpful.
 

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