Advances in the Generation and Use of Very High, Continuous Magnetic Fields

Abstract

The four effects exerted by a magnetic field, which make it useful as a research environment, are discussed and evaluated. The production of laboratory magnetic fields along with some history of the production is also discussed. In an effort to advance the art of generating very high continuous fields, the Lincoln Laboratory Solid State Division at MIT launched a three effort program: first, the problem of designing high-performance solenoids was reexamined; secondly, a proposal was made that a new laboratory be built for the purpose of making generally available for research the highest continuous magnetic fields that can be generated at the present state of the art; thirdly, communication was established among scientists concerned with the generation and use of such fields. The progress made along these lines during the first three years is reported. (P.C.H.)