Cryogenic tests of the first two LHC quadrupole prototypes

• Published in: IEEE transactions on applied superconductivity 1995-06, Vol.5 (2), p.202-205
• Main Authors: Genevey, P., Deregel, J., Perot, J., Rifflet, J.M., Vedrine, P., Cortella, J., Le Coroller, A., Rodriguez-Mateos, F., Siegel, N., Tortschanoff, T., Verweij, A.P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apertures; Collaboration; Cryogenics; Large Hadron Collider; Length measurement; Prototypes; Superconducting coils; Superconducting magnets; Test facilities; Testing
• ISSN: 1051-8223; 1558-2515
• DOI: 10.1109/77.402524

Two LHC (Large Hadron Collider) twin aperture quadrupole superconducting magnet prototypes were constructed at CEA Saclay, in the framework of a collaboration agreement between CERN and CEA in Saclay. Their main characteristics are: 3.05 m length, 56 mm coil aperture, 180 mm between the two apertures, 252 T/m nominal gradient at 15060 A. They have been tested and measured in the 1.8 K Saclay test facility in a horizontal cryostat. The magnets are instrumented in order to investigate their behaviour during cool-down, stand-by, powering and current ramping, quenching and warming-up. The paper presents a summary of the cryogenic, mechanical, pressure and electrical measurements. The 15060 A nominal current was reached with little training. The quench protection heaters are efficient down to 3000 A. Losses during ramping up and down are reported.< >