TPX superconducting cable-in-conduit 1995 design and development progress

A unique feature of the magnet system for the Tokamak Physics Experiment (TPX) is that all the magnets are superconducting. With the exception of the outer poloidal coils, the magnet system uses Nb/sub 3/Sn cable-in-conduit conductor; the outer poloidal coils use Nb-Ti cable-in-conduit conductor. We describe the current TPX conductor design and present a progress report on the conductor development. Our strand development contracts have resulted in demonstrating that at least two vendors can produce Nb/sub 3/Sn strand which meets the TPX specification. Subcable testing gives confidence that the TPX conductor will satisfy the magnet operational requirements. Fabrication of full-size conductors is underway and tests on these will give verification that the TPX conductor meets the operational requirements. Our industrial cabling and sheathing contract to produce demonstration conductor using copper strands is exploring a production technique that differs from the conventional tube mill approach.