Advanced Nb3Sn Conductors Tested in Racetrack Coil Configuration for the 11T Dipole Project

Abstract

Within the 11T dipole magnet conductor development for the high-luminosity LHC upgrade, two types of Nb3 Sn cable based on the powder-in-tube (PIT) and the Rod and Restack processes (RRP) are tested in racetrack configuration in the short model coil (SMC) magnets. In 2016 and 2017, the performances of three different coils wound with 40-strand cables, one made of OST RRP 132/169 and two of PIT 120 strands have been measured using the SMC structure. This paper reports on the main design parameters of the SMC-11T-3 (RRP), and the SMC-11T-4 and SMC-11T-5 (PIT) magnets including details on the instrumentation, applied preload, maximum expected performances, residual resistivity ratio, splice resistances, and inductances. For SMC-11T-3, eight consecutive runs have been performed varying the azimuthal prestress from 150 to 200 MPa with the aim to study the impact of the transverse pressure on the magnet stability and degradation. Only two runs were done for SMC-11T-4 and SMC-11T-5. For the three magnets, the training behavior at both 4.2 and 1.9 K is analyzed in terms of training rate, quench location, maximum quench current and its dependence to the helium bath temperature, the level of transverse prestress, and current ramp rate. The main outcome of the tests on the coil performance is given as conclusion.