An Open-Source Finite Element Quench Simulation Tool for Superconducting Magnets

An open-source Finite Element Quench Simulator (FiQuS) is being developed as part of the STEAM framework following CERN's open science policy (CERN, 2022). The tool is based solely on open-source software and uses Python to generate geometries and meshes with Gmsh and compute solutions with GetDP. FiQuS scripts have a modular structure to accommodate a broad range of geometries and simulation requirements, focusing mainly on superconducting accelerator magnets. At its advanced stage, the tool will be capable of 1D, 2D, and 3D geometry generation of superconducting elements such as bus bars, multi-pole, solenoid, and canted-cos-theta (CCT) magnets. It already has the capability for parametrized mesh control and subsequent model generation of 2D multi-pole and 3D CCT magnets. It will be possible to perform either electromagnetic (EM), thermal (TH), or coupled EM-TH simulations for static or transient analysis. The focus is on aspects related to the powering and quench transients, enabling parametric analyses and co-simulations to support comprehensive quench protection studies. In this contribution, we lay the foundation of FiQuS by presenting its structure and three specific capabilities that represent the basis upon which the future modules will be built, mainly: enabling cooperative simulations and the Single Source Of Truth (SSOT) practice; seamlessly integrating magnet design details around a set of input files; enabling parametric analysis and multi-objective optimization with Dakota software developed by Sandia National Laboratories. These capabilities showcase the integration of FiQuS with software developed at CERN, at other national laboratories, and within the STEAM framework.