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The Nb3Sn quadrupole MQXF is being developed as a part of the large hadron collide (LHC) High Luminosity upgrade. The magnet design was tested on 1.5-m-long short models, sharing the same cross section with the full-length magnets. Various azimuthal and longitudinal preloads were applied, studying the impact on the magnet training and on its mechanical performances. The experiments demonstrated the possibility to control the magnet prestress. However, various factors, coil size among the others, may affect the stress variation between and within each winding. This variation could prevent the magnets from reaching the magnet performances, as for example as a result of the critical current reduction of the Nb3Sn strands. This paper analyzes the mechanical performances of the short models, studying in particular the stress variation on different coils. The measured coil size was used as input in the numerical simulations, and the results were then compared with the strain gauge measurements. Finally, the short model experience was used to evaluate the feasibility of a loading operation that does not rely on the strain measurements.

HD3 is the latest magnet of a series of block-type Nb3Sn dipole model magnets developed by the Superconducting Magnet Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The magnet is 1 m long with a clear aperture of 43 mm. As a model magnet designed with accelerator-quality features, each coil has flared ends to provide a clear bore for a beam tube. The magnet design was also optimized to minimize the geometric and saturation field errors. In 2013, HD3b reached a peak dipole field of 13.4 T at 4.4 K. As part of the magnet test, we measured field quality using rotating coils with lengths of 26 and 130 mm developed by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Here, we report and analyze the measured static and dynamic field errors. We discuss the insight provided by the field quality study of HD3, which can be useful for the development of high-field block-type dipole magnets for next-generation circular colliders.

The Nb 3 Sn low-β quadrupole MQXF is being developed as a part of the High-Luminosity large hadron collider (LHC) upgrade project. The magnet will be produced in two different configurations, sharing the same cross section but with different lengths. A 7.2-m mechanical model of MQXFB was recently assembled at european organization for nuclear research (CERN) with one copper coil, two low-grade coils, and one rejected coil. Coil dimensions were measured with a portable coordinate measurement machine. The coil pack shimming was designed in order to optimize the field quality and the contacts between the coils and the collars. The azimuthal preload target was defined using the short models experience. The mechanical behavior during loading was monitored by means of strain gauges. The results demonstrated that the structure can provide the required prestress to the coils.

The U.S. High-Luminosity LHC Accelerator Upgrade Project, in collaboration with CERN, is developing Nb 3 Sn quadrupole magnets (MQXFA) to be installed at the interaction region of the LHC. The project will deliver 20 MQXFA magnets in 10 cold masses. These magnets need to meet the stringent requirements on field quality at the nominal operating current. Compared to the mature NbTi accelerator magnet technology, achieving excellent field quality can be challenging for Nb 3 Sn magnets. To help track, understand, and allow effective correction of geometric field errors, field quality measurements at room temperature during the MQXFA assembly stage was planned for the project. The measurements also intend to evaluate the magnetic axis and twist angle along the magnet aperture. We report the first measurement on a prototype MQXFA magnet using a recently developed measurement system. The magnetic axis and twist angle met the acceptance criteria. Further development needs for the room-temperature measurements were discussed. We expect that statistics obtained from such measurements throughout the project will provide insight into future applications of high-performance Nb 3 Sn accelerator magnets.

As part of the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Project, a set of Nb3Snquadrupoles are being developed, aiming to enhance the performance of the inner triplets. The new magnets, identified as MQXFA and MQXFB, will share the same cross section with two different lengths, 4.2 and 7.2 m, respectively. During the magnet development, three short models were tested, along with a number of mechanical models, demonstrating the capability of the magnet cross section to achieve the specified performances. The same performances are now required for the full-length magnets. To ensure this, the authors studied the impact of the magnet length on the capability of the structure to provide an adequate support to the coils. Finite element and simplified analytical models were used to evaluate the impact of the magnet length on the stresses in the magnet ends and coil elongation during powering. The models were calibrated using the results from the short model tests, and used to provide an indication on the required prestress and its foreseen impact on the magnet performance.

During the development of MQXF, the new Nb3Sn quadrupole to be used in the large hadron collider (LHC) inner triplets for the High Luminosity upgrade, three short models were tested: MQXFS1, MQXFS3, and MQXFS5. These models differ in the use of thin or thick laminations for the iron components, in the coil design, and in the superconductive strands, rod restack process (RRP) or powder in tube (PIT). In the MQXF design, the azimuthal prestress is provided at room temperature by means of the bladder-key technology, and it is further increased during the cooldown by the differential thermal contraction of the various components. Four aluminum rods provide the longitudinal prestress. Both systems allow for a flexible control of the amount of prestress applied. As a consequence, it was possible to test the models exploring different azimuthal and longitudinal prestress conditions, in an attempt to understand their impact on the magnet performances. This paper studies the mechanical behavior of these short models, also providing the strain and stresses measured by means of strain gauges installed on the aluminum shell, on the winding poles and on the rods. Finally, the paper compares the measures with the results from finite element (FE) models.

The High Luminosity (HiLumi) Large Hadron Collider (LHC) project has, as the main objective, to increase the LHC peak luminosity by a factor five and the integrated luminosity by a factor ten. This goal will be achieved mainly with a new interaction region layout, which will allow a stronger focusing of the colliding beams. The target will be to reduce the beam size in the interaction points by a factor of two, which requires doubling the aperture of the low-β (or inner triplet) quadrupole magnets. The use of Nb3Sn superconducting material and, as a result, the possibility of operating at magnetic field levels in the windings higher than 11 T will limit the increase in length of these quadrupoles, called MQXF, to acceptable levels. After the initial design phase, where the key parameters were chosen and the magnet's conceptual design finalized, the MQXF project, a joint effort between the U.S. LHC Accelerator Research Program and the Conseil Europeén pour la Recherche Nucleaíre (CERN), has now entered the construction and test phase of the short models. Concurrently, the preparation for the development of the full-length prototypes has been initiated. This paper will provide an overview of the project status, describing and reporting on the performance of the superconducting material, the lessons learnt during the fabrication of superconducting coils and support structure, and the fine tuning of the magnet design in view of the start of the prototyping phase.

Within the scope of the High-Luminosity LHC project, the collaboration between CERN and U.S. LARP is developing new low-$\beta$ quadrupoles using the Nb3Sn superconducting technology for the upgrade of the LHC interaction regions. The magnet support structure of the first short model was designed, and two units were fabricated and tested at CERN and at LBNL. The structure provides the preload to the collar-coil subassembly by an arrangement of outer aluminum shells pretensioned with water-pressurized bladders. For the mechanical qualification of the structure and the assembly procedure, superconducting coils were replaced with solid aluminum 'dummy coils,' and the structure was preloaded at room temperature and then cooled-down to 77 K. The mechanical behavior of the magnet structure was monitored with the use of strain gauges installed on the aluminum shells, the dummy coils, and the axial preload system. This paper reports on the outcome of the assembly and the cooldown tests with dummy coils, which were performed at CERN and at LBNL, and presents the strain gauge measurements compared with the 3-D finite-element model predictions.

We report test results for the one meter long dipol HD3b, a block-Type accelerator quality Nb3Sn magnet built a LBNL with operational bore fields in the range of 13-15 T. Th magnet is an upgrade of the previously reported HD2 and HD3 versions, with several modifications implemented to improve conducto positioning, reduce cable "hard-way" bending radius, an strengthen electrical insulation between cables and coil parts The magnet exhibited long training behavior, but showed a goo "memory" of the trained state upon thermal cycling. Ramp-rat dependence of the quench current, field quality performance characteristics and protection heater studies were conducted. Quenc propagation velocity and quench locations were determined base on the voltage signals; quench localization was further improve using inductive quench antenna and acoustic emission sensors Short-And long-Term acoustic precursors to quenching wer observed.

As part of the development of very high field dipole magnets for particle accelerators, the Superconducting Magnet Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is developing block-type dipole magnets. One of the main challenges of this geometry is to provide support to the coil in the aperture while maintaining an adequate clear bore. Through finite element method analysis, strain-gauge measurements, and test results, this paper reviews the design of HD3, a 1-m-long, 43-mm-bore Nb3Sn dipole magnet, presents the findings in terms of strain gauges monitoring, and summarizes their implications. © 2002-2011 IEEE.

For the last several years, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has been engaged in the development of Nb3Sn block-type accelerator quality dipoles with operational bore fields in the range of 13-15 T. The magnet design features two coil modules wound around a titanium-alloy pole with a clear aperture of 43 mm. The latest model, HD3, incorporates several new features to overcome the limitations observed in previous tests. Among the key objectives are improved conductor positioning at critical transitions between straight section and end regions, and a more robust fabrication process. To date, several coils have been fabricated and we describe their performance with respect to these design and process changes. Additionally, we present our experience in design and fabrication of a new generation of magnet coils that introduce a two-piece pole design that allows for cable growth during reaction. These experiences are intended to form the basis for scale-up to longer lengths and larger aperture magnets. © 2002-2011 IEEE.