Development of 15 T Cryogen-Free Superconducting Magnets

Cryogen-free superconducting magnets are becoming popular due to their simple operation compared with the conventional liquid Helium cooled magnet. However, for higher fields such as those greater than 14 T, the cryogen-free magnet has not become popular yet, because it is difficult to design and manufacture since the critical current is markedly reduced at higher fields and higher temperatures. We have developed two types of 15 T cryogen-free superconducting magnets, which will be among the highest field magnets in operation as cryogen-free with a GM cryocooler. One magnet has a 52 mm room temperature bore with overall dimensions of 820 mm in diameter and 680 mm in height. This magnet is designed so as to be simple in both operation and installation. Therefore, the magnet is cooled with a single 1 W GM cryocooler. Also, all coils are connected in series and charged with a single power supply. The magnet was successfully charged up to 15 T in 30 minutes and then charged slowly to 16 T without quench. The other magnet has a 170 mm room temperature bore with overall dimensions of 980 mm in diameter and 1015 mm in height. This magnet is designed so as to be used with temperature controlled sample cryostats with an outer diameter of 168 mm. The magnet is cooled with four 1 W GM cryocoolers and charged with a single power supply. The magnet was successfully charged up to 15 T in 90 minutes. Both magnets will enable high magnetic field research or application with very easy operation