Effect of the n value and the field inhomogeneity on the quench current of superconducting cables (magnet winding)

A model developed to obtain a relation connecting the critical current and the quench current of superconducting (S/C) cables is described. The model is based on the hypothesis that the heat produced inside the cable is only due to the ohmic dissipation, and it is only removed by thermal exchange with the liquid helium bath. The ohmic dissipation is calculated by supposing that the electrical resistance of the S/C cable at the transition to normal state is: R alpha l/sup n/ where l is the current and n (n value) is an integer number. To calculate the function R(I), the field inhomogeneity at the conductor due to the self-field is taken into account, introducing the effective critical field.<
>