Superconducting joints using reacted multifilament MgB_(2)wires:A technology toward cryogen-free MRI magnets

The development of superconducting joining technology for reacted magnesium diboride(MgB_(2))conductors remains a critical challenge for the advancement of cryogen-free MgB_(2)-based magnets for magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Herein,the fabrication of superconducting joints using reacted carbon-doped multifilament MgB_(2)wires for MRI magnets is reported.To achieve successful superconducting joints,the powder-in-mold method was employed,which involved tuning the filament protection mechanism,the powder compaction pressure,and the heat treatment condition.The fabricated joints demonstrated clear superconducting-to-normal transitions in self-field,with effective magnetic field screening up to 0.5 T at 20 K.To evaluate the interface between one of the MgB_(2)filaments and the MgB_(2)bulk within the joint,serial sectioning was conducted for the first time in this type of superconducting joint.The serial sectioning revealed space formation at the interface,potentially caused by the volume shrinkage associated with the MgB_(2)formation or the combined effect of the volume shrinkage and the different thermal expansion coefficients of the MgB_(2)bulk,the filament,the mold,and the sealing material.These findings are expected to be pivotal in developing MgB_(2)superconducting joining technology for MRI magnet applications through interface engineering.

Recent progress in MgB_(2)superconducting joint technology

Magnesium diboride(MgB_(2))magnets have the potential to be the next-generation liquid-helium-free magnet for magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)application due to their relatively high superconducting transition temperature,high current density and low raw material cost compared with current commercial niobium-titanium(Nb-Ti)magnets.A typical superconducting magnet includes several coils.To produce an ultra-stable magnetic field for imaging in MRI,a superconducting electromagnet operating in a persistent mode is crucial.Superconducting coils of the electromagnet in MRI are short-circuited to operate in the persistent mode by connecting coils with superconducting joints.Per-sistent joints have been demonstrated for in-situ and ex-situ wires of both mono-and multi-filamentary structures,made predominantly by PIT techniques similar to those used in wire production.To realise further engagement of MgB_(2)in MRI applications,enhancing the performance of MgB_(2)superconducting joints is essential.This literature review summarises research and development on MgB_(2)superconducting joining technology.

Analysis of the Superconducting Cable Transposition in Low Resistance CICC Joint

In an integrated structure low resistance CICC joint, current is conducted by outer cable strands coming into touch with the conductive Cu sole. So it is an important condition for satisfying joint performance that each strand of the cable inside the joint is able to come to the outermost by transposition. This paper presents analysis, calculation and figures for the strand transposition. According to the twist procedures of the superconducting cable, the author computed the actual pitch of each stage cable, consecutively computed the projection of each stage cable on the axis of the cable (z axis) and the corresponding twist angle as the z coordinate changes, which is then drawn by AutoCAD. From the results shown in the figures, the minimal cable length, which enables each strand to transpose almost equally to the outermost of the cable in such a length, call be determined as the optimal joint length.

Design and Manufacture of Full-Size Testing Joints for EAST

The conductors of both the toroidal field （TF） and poloidal field （PF） coils of EAST are NiTi cable-in-conduit conductors （CICCs）. The sizes of this type of CICC are 20.3 mm×20.3 mm and 18.5 mm×18.5 mm respectively. A relevant R＆D program has been carried out for three years at the Research and Manufacture Center （RMC） of the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences （ASIPP） to acquire the manufacturing techniques and master the behavior of the testing joints. Based on the experience gained from the manufacture and test of a sub-cable joint, three kinds of joints were made. The final design was determined after carefully evaluating their simple mechanism, good cooling line, lower AC loss and resistance, compact size, and convenience for manufacture and on-site assembly. Two steps were developed to carry out the final joint. The first step was forming the terminals＇ super conductors. The second step was clamping the two terminals together to ensure their good contact with the copper conductor sole. The two terminals could be connected in different directions to get two kinds of conductor connections. A hydraulic instrument was developed to impact the terminals. It could impact the terminals in high accuracy in terms of their size and shape. The cross section of the terminal was tried in circular and an elliptic shape. Five full-size joints were made according to the design and then tested. When they were tested in bathing cold condition, their resistance was from 2 nΩ to 4 nΩ The latest joint was tested in real working conditions where the resistance varied from 2 nΩ to 12 nΩ, depending on the testing current ranging from 2 kA to 10 kA.

CICC Joint Development and Test for the Test Facility

The superconducting joint of the NbTi Cable-in -conduit Conductor (CICC) has been developed and tested on the magnet test facility at Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The CICC is composed of (2NbTi+lCu)x3x3x(6+ltube) strands each with 0.85 mm in diameter, which has been developed for a central solenoid model coil. The effective length of the joint is about 500 mm. There have been two common fabrication modes, one of them is to integrate the 2 CICC terminals with the copper substrate via lead-soldering, and the other is to mechanically compress the above two parts into an integrated unit. In the current range from 2 kA to 10 kA the joint resistance changes slightly. Up to now, 11 TF magnets, a central solenoid model coil, a central solenoid prototype coil, and a large PF model coil of PF large coil have been completed via the latter joint in the test facility.