Compact cryogenic test stand for superconducting magnets characterization

Abstract

Abstract A new compact experimental facility for testing compact superconducting magnets down to 4.2 K using cryogenic fluids has been developed at CEA Paris-Saclay. This facility has been constructed to test the solenoid magnets for the next Soreq particle accelerator (SARAF) project. The magnets are cooled with liquid helium at 4.2 K and the liquid bath can be pressurized up to 2 bars to regulate the temperature of the magnet during operating conditions. In this facility, it is possible to measure and dissociate the heat loads coming from the magnet and the current leads by flow-metry. The voltage of the solenoids and their current leads are measured using National Instrument devices and monitored with a Labview program to identify and analyze eventual quenchs. The magnetic performance of the magnets are also monitored dynamically with 3D hall probes. Numerous cryogenic temperature sensors are used to characterize the thermal evolution of the magnet and its current leads during the test. In the present paper, the compact facility is described and the first results obtained on the current leads of the magnet prototype are presented.