Rapid-cycling dipole using block-coil geometry and bronze-process Nb3Sn superconductor

The block coil geometry utilized in recent high-field dipole development has significant benefit for applications requiring rapid cycling, since it intrinsically suppresses coupling currents between strands. A conceptual design for a 6 Tesla dipole has been studied for such applications, in which the intra-strand losses are minimized by using bronze-process Nb₃Sn superconducting wire developed for ITER. That conductor provides isolated fine filaments and optimum matrix resistance between filaments. The block-coil geometry further accommodates placement of He cooling channels inside the coil, so that heat from radiation and from AC losses can be removed with minimum temperature rise in the coil. The design could be operated with supercritical helium cooling, and should make it possible to operate with a continuous ramp rate of 5-10 T/s.