Abstract
An acoustic array is proposed as a quench detection method in superconducting magnets. A quench occurs when the current density in the superconductor exceeds a critical value, resulting in a loss of superconductivity and rapid local heating. This event is destructive and must be rapidly detected. It is thought that the quench may act as an acoustic source (Takayasu, 2019), which could be detected and localized by a microphone array inserted into the cryogenic coolant. A main advantage of this method is that acoustics propagate 1000 times faster than the normal zone propagation velocity in HTS conductors, providing for fast detection times. To demonstrate this concept, we first characterized the performance of a piezoelectric MEMS microphone and several potential preamplifiers under cryogenic conditions. An acoustic sense node was then constructed that operates down to 10 K. A cryogenic probe incorporating the MEMS array was used to study a quench event in a segment of a 2 mm wide REBCO tape. Quench experiments were carried out in a 7.6 cm diameter, 111 cm tall cryostat in Helium gas at 20 to 50 K. The MEMS array clearly detects a quench induced failure. Other observed acoustic features of unknown origin will be described.
Published Version
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