Energy and Material Efficient Noncircular Bore Bitter Magnets

Resistive Bitter magnets are still widely used to produce very high continuous magnetic fields. There exist a number of experiments/applications where the second dimension of the bore of Bitter magnets is not fully utilized and thus can be minimized accordingly. Evidently, a significant reduction of one of the dimensions of the bore should result in significant decrease in consumed power and/or coil material, typically with no reduction in applicable science. However, no efforts were mounted before to quantify the benefits, likely owing to the problem intricacy. Using an analytical solution for magnetic field and current density in homothetic elliptical bore coils and finite element analysis solutions for other shapes as well, we make up for the deficiency to a degree. Relevant structural mechanical aspects are viewed to complete the picture. In closing, possibilities to enhance the cooling efficiency of Bitter magnets are discussed, albeit very briefly.