Stable operation characteristics and perspectives of the large-current HTS STARS conductor

Abstract

The High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnet option has been explored for fusion reactors as well as for next-generation fusion experimental devices. The Stacked Tapes Assembled in Rigid Structure (STARS) conductor uses HTS tapes with simple stacking without twisting and transposition. A practically applicable STARS conductor is presently being developed with an operating current of 18 kA at 20 K temperature and ~15 T magnetic field. The conductor is required to have a high current density of 80 A/mm2. For the second stage of the conductor development, internal electrical insulation is applied between the copper stabilizer casing and the outer stainless-steel jacket, and a 6-m conductor sample was fabricated in a solenoid coil shape with a 600-mm diameter and three turns. The coiled sample was tested in 8 T, 20 K using a facility equipped with a maximum 13-T, 700-mm bore solenoid coil. Excitation up to the rated current of 18 kA was successfully attained with stable operation. The characteristics of the conductor observed during the excitation test are discussed.