Superconducting Magnet Systems

Provides a theoretical basis for the quantitative engineering design of superconducting magnet systems, ranging from the small instrument magnets, in everyday use as research tools, to the very large magnet systems used for work on thermonuclear fusion and magnetohydrodynamic power generation.

I am indeed pleased to prepare this brief foreword for this book, written by several of my friends and colleagues in the Soviet Union. The book was first published in the Russian language in Moscow in 1975. The phenomenon of superconductivity was discovered in 1911 and promised to be important to the production of electromagnets since superconductors would not dissipate Joule heat. Unfortunate ly the first materials which were discovered to be superconducting reverted to the normal resistive state in magnetic fields of a few tesla. Thus the development that was hoped for by hundredths of a the early pioneers was destined to be delayed for over half a century. In 1961 the intermetallic compound NbaSn was found to be superconducting in a field of about 200 teslas. This breakthrough marked a turning point, and 50 years after the discovery of superconductivity an intensive period of technological development began. There are many applications of superconductivity that are now being pursued, but perhaps one of the most important is super conducting magnetic systems. There was a general feeling in the early 1960s that the intermetallic compounds and alloys that were found to retain superconductivity in the presence of high magnetic fields would make the commercialization of superconducting magnets a relatively simple matter. However, the next few years were ones of disillusionment; large magnets were found to be unstable, causing them to revert to the normal state at much lower magnetic fields than predicted.

Fundamentals of Magnetic Thermonuclear Reactor Design is a comprehensive resource on fusion technology and energy systems written by renowned scientists and engineers from the Russian nuclear industry. It brings together a wealth of invaluable experience and knowledge on controlled thermonuclear fusion (CTF) facilities with magnetic plasma confinement – from the first semi-commercial tokamak T-3, to the multi-billion international experimental thermonuclear reactor ITER, now in construction in France. As the INTOR and ITER projects have made an immense contribution in the past few decades, this book focuses on its practical engineering aspects and the basics of technical physics and electrical engineering. Users will gain an understanding of the key ratios between plasma and technical parameters, design streamlining algorithms and engineering solutions. Written by a team of qualified experts who have been involved in the design of thermonuclear reactors for over 50 years Outlines the most important features of the ITER project in France which is building the largest tokamak, including the design, material selection, safety and economic considerations Includes data on how to design magnetic fusion reactors using CAD tools, along with relevant regulatory documents

The 2nd edition emphasizes two areas not emphasized in the 1st edition: 1) high-temperature superconductor (HTS) magnets; 2) NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) magnets. Despite nearly 40 years of R and D on superconducting magnet technology, most areas, notably fusion and electric power applications, are still in the R and D stage. One exception is in the area of NMR and MRI. NMR magnets are very popular among chemists, biologists, genome scientists, and most of all, by drug manufacturers for drug discovery and development. MRI and NMR magnets have become the most successful application of superconducting magnet technology and this trend should continue. The 2nd edition will have new materials never treated formally in any other book of this kind. As with the 1st, most subjects will be presented through problem format to educate and train the designer.

This book presents the basics and applications of superconducting magnets. It explains the phenomenon of superconductivity, theories of superconductivity, type II superconductors and high-temperature cuprate superconductors. The main focus of the book is on the application to superconducting magnets to accelerators and fusion reactors and other applications of superconducting magnets. The thermal and electromagnetic stability criteria of the conductors and the present status of the fabrication techniques for future magnet applications are addressed. The book is based on the long experience of the author in studying superconducting materials, building magnets and numerous lectures delivered to scholars. A researcher and graduate student will enjoy reading the book to learn various aspects of magnet applications of superconductivity. The book provides the knowledge in the field of applied superconductivity in a comprehensive way.