Winding and Testing of Large Bore Solenoids, and Study of Quench Propagation in Short Coils Made With Multifilament ${\rm MgB}_{2}$ Tape

Abstract

Magnesium diboride has a great potential for magnet applications in many areas such as high energy physics, MRI, and space-related projects. The main goal of our ongoing research effort is to study magnet design, winding process, and magnet testing. Last year, in a 14 cm bore solenoid we reached a central magnetic flux density of 1 tesla at 16 K with almost 500 m of commercial multifilament tape. In order to design appropriate quench detection and protection systems, it is important to define the quench propagation characteristics in solenoids made with this superconductor. In this work we show our experimental activity, from winding to testing, with a 14 cm bore solenoid made with commercial multifilament MgB2 tape. In particular we address a quench propagation study on a coil made with 2 m of the same tape.