Abstract: A method for manufacturing a superconducting magnet comprising: providing an electrically conductive substrate (such as an open U-channel) shaped into a substantially planar coil having a plurality of turns, the electrically conductive substrate having a groove along its length, the groove facing a radial direction of the coil or, in other words, the groove facing either inwardly or outwardly in the plane of the coil; translating at least a portion of the electrically conductive substrate out of the plane of the coil to expose at least a portion of the groove; and inserting superconducting material into the exposed portion of the groove.

Abstract: A high temperature superconducting, HTS, magnet system. The HTS magnet system comprises an HTS field coil, a temperature control system, a power supply, and a controller. The HTS field coil comprises a plurality of turns comprising HTS material; and a resistive material electrically connecting the turns, such that current can be shared radially between turns via the resistive material. The temperature control system is configured to control the temperature of the coil, the temperature control system comprising at least a cryogenic cool system configured to keep the coil below a self-field critical temperature of the HTS material. The power supply is configured to supply current to the HTS field coil. The controller is configured to cause the power supply to provide a current greater than a critical current of all of the HTS material.

Abstract: A method of energizing or de-energizing a high temperature superconducting, HTS, coil, from an initial transport current to a final transport current. The HTS coil comprises a plurality of turns of HTS material. A transport current is supplied to the HTS coil, the transport current starting at the initial transport current and varying over time to the final transport current. Cooling is applied to the HTS coil. An operating condition of the HTS coil is monitored, wherein the operating condition is indicative of a ratio I/Ic of the transport current, I, to a critical current, Ic, of the HTS material in at least a part of the HTS coil. One or both of the transport current applied to the coil and a net cooling applied to the coil are controlled in a feedback loop responsive to the operating condition, in order to maintain the operating condition in a desired range during energisation or de-energisation, such that the indicated ratio I/Ic is maintained above a threshold ratio (e.g. 0.7).

Abstract: A high temperature superconductor, HTS, field coil having turns comprising HTS material wound about an axis of the coil. The turns are separated from one another along a direction perpendicular to the axis by a layer of insulator material having a first resistivity at a temperature less than a generation temperature of the HTS material and a lower, second resistivity at a second temperature greater than the generation temperature of the HTS material. The HTS field coil further comprises one or more electrical conductor elements arranged to provide one or more electrically conductive pathways extending from one turn to an adjacent turn and through the layer of insulator material. In response to a voltage difference generated across the one or more electrically conductive pathways, electrical current is driven through the one or more electrical conductor elements to heat the layer of insulator material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a High Temperature Superconductor, HTS, field coil from one or more HTS tapes. Each HTS tape comprises an HTS material layer. The method comprises: winding the one or more HTS tapes about an axis to form a field coil comprising windings of HTS tape; and removing material from an axial edge of the one or more of the HTS tapes around at least a part of one or more of the windings to reduce the extent of the one or more HTS tapes along the axis of the field coil.

Abstract: A method of detecting pre-quench conditions in a superconducting magnet comprising an HTS field coil. The field coil comprises a plurality of turns comprising HTS material and metallic stabilizer; and conductive material connecting the turns such that current can be shared radially between turns via the conductive material. Strain is monitored for the HTS field coil and/or support structures of the HTS field coil. The monitored strain is compared to an expected strain during normal operation of the magnet. In response to the comparison, it is determined whether the field coil is in pre-quench conditions. A similar method is provided where the magnetic field of the HTS field coil is monitored to detect pre-quench conditions, instead of the strain.

Abstract: A method of detecting pre-quench conditions in a superconducting magnet comprising an HTS field coil. The field coil comprises a plurality of turns comprising HTS material and metallic stabilizer; and conductive material connecting the turns such that current can be shared radially between turns via the conductive material. Strain is monitored for the HTS field coil and/or support structures of the HTS field coil. The monitored strain is compared to an expected strain during normal operation of the magnet. In response to the comparison, it is determined whether the field coil is in pre-quench conditions. A similar method is provided where the magnetic field of the HTS field coil is monitored to detect pre-quench conditions, instead of the strain.

Abstract: A partially insulating layer for use in an HTS magnet coil. The partially insulating layer comprises an insulating body 401 having within it a set of linking tracks and a set of pickup tracks. Each linking track is electrically conductive and is electrically connected to first and second surfaces of the partially insulating layer, in order to provide an electrical path between said first and second surfaces. Each pickup track is electrically conductive and is inductively coupled to a respective linking track, and electrically isolated from the first and second surfaces. Each of the pickup tracks is configured for connection to a current measuring device in order to measure a current induced in the pickup track by a change in current flowing in the respective linking track.

Abstract: A high temperature superconducting, HTS, magnet system. The HTS magnet system comprises an HTS field coil, a temperature control system, a power supply, and a controller. The HTS field coil comprises a plurality of turns comprising HTS material; and a resistive material electrically connecting the turns, such that current can be shared radially between turns via the resistive material. The temperature control system is configured to control the temperature of the coil, the temperature control system comprising at least a cryogenic cool system configured to keep the coil below a self-field critical temperature of the HTS material. The power supply is configured to supply current to the HTS field coil. The controller is configured to cause the power supply to provide a current greater than a critical current of all of the HTS material.

Abstract: A partially insulating layer for use in an HTS magnet coil. The partially insulating layer comprises an insulating body 401 having within it a set of linking tracks and a set of pickup tracks. Each linking track is electrically conductive and is electrically connected to first and second surfaces of the partially insulating layer, in order to provide an electrical path between said first and second surfaces. Each pickup track is electrically conductive and is inductively coupled to a respective linking track, and electrically isolated from the first and second surfaces. Each of the pickup tracks is configured for connection to a current measuring device in order to measure a current induced in the pickup track by a change in current flowing in the respective linking track.

Abstract: A high temperature superconducting, HTS, field coil. The HTS field coil has a plurality of turns and a semiconductor, arranged such that current can be shared between the turns via the semiconductor.

Abstract: A high temperature superconducting, HTS, field coil. The HTS field coil comprises a plurality of turns and a partially insulating layer. The plurality of turns comprises HTS material and metallic stabilizer. The partially insulating layer separates the turns, such that current can be shared between turns via the partially insulating layer. The partially insulating layer comprises an electrically conducting layer, and first and second insulating layers. The electrically conducting layer is coated on one side with the first insulating layer and on the other side with the second insulating layer. Each insulating layer has one or more windows through which electrical contact can be made between the turns and the electrically conducting layer. The windows in the first insulating layer are offset in the plane of the electrically conducting strip from the windows in the second insulating layer.

Abstract: A high temperature superconducting, HTS, field coil. The HTS field coil comprises a plurality of turns and a partially insulating layer. The plurality of turns comprises HTS material and metallic stabilizer. The partially insulating layer separates the turns, such that current can be shared between turns via the partially insulating layer. The partially insulating layer comprises an electrically conducting layer, and first and second insulating layers. The electrically conducting layer is coated on one side with the first insulating layer and on the other side with the second insulating layer. Each insulating layer has one or more windows through which electrical contact can be made between the turns and the electrically conducting layer. The windows in the first insulating layer are offset in the plane of the electrically conducting strip from the windows in the second insulating layer.

Abstract: A flow-cooled magnet system comprising a magnet for generating a magnetic field in a target region and a cooling system comprising a flow path for a coolant fluid. The flow path has a first part arranged in thermal communication with the magnet and a second part in thermal communication with the target region. Each of the magnet and target region are cooled by the flow of coolant in the first and second parts of the cooling system.