The source, origin and propagation of quenches measured in superconducting dipole magnets

Transitions from the superconducting to normal state at 4.4 and 1.8 K in several model accelerator dipoles were recorded by a fast data acquisition system. The resistive voltage rise in the conductor during the transitions is used to determine accurately the location of the quench source in the magnets and to estimate the axial and turn-to-turn quench velocities. The quench velocity, temperature evolution and energy deposition in the coil were calculated using the program QUENCH and are in reasonable agreement with the data. In the two dipole magnets studied, the transitions almost always occurred in the regions of highest field. In one coil the high field region is in the straight section because the field in this region is enhanced by iron support rings. In the other magnet the high field region is at the end, in the innermost turn of the first layer. Some quenches were preceded by large voltage spikes that can be ascribed to conductor motion. Other quenches do not appear to be associated with any large energy release. Acoustic emission (AE) was monitored during the tests and AE bursts were observed simultaneous with the initial voltage spike. An increased AE signal continued as the quench progressed.