Optimizing the conductor dimensions for a 10-13 T superconducting dipole magnet [for accelerators]

A method to obtain systematic solutions for the conductor dimensions and their layout is described. From these solutions a selection can be made based on a number of practical requirements. The inclusion of a measured J_max(B) relation of the superconductor in order to make the design practical has a large effect on the geometry. A dipole magnet with cables of equal width is not necessarily the best solution; it is often better to have a broader inner-layer cable. The volume of superconductor appeared to vary only within a few percent in the systematic solutions and is therefore not a relevant criterion. In the case of a 13-T dipole magnet and using the J_max(B) relation described, more than two layers of conductors must be used in order to keep the design within practical limits. It appears to be difficult to obtain a convenient solution for a 13-T magnet, although the number of geometrical variants is very high