Optimal design of superconducting coils for quench

Analysis of quench phenomena within a superconducting coil can be simulated using a version of M.N. Wilson's QUENCH code (1983). To design a superconducting coil adequately, the event of quench must be anticipated. Quench characteristics are controlled by several parameters, such as coil dimensions, proportion of copper, fraction of superconductor, current density, and unit cell area. The criteria are to minimize the internal voltage and the maximum temperature rise in the superconducting coil during quench. An excessive temperature may cause overheating, thereby damaging the insulation or conductor. To obtain the optimum design parameters for a given magnet, an optimization code has been introduced. With the automatic changing of design variables within the program, the goal of minimizing the internal voltage and/or maximum temperature rise can therefore be attained. The programs OPT-SINGC and OPT-MULTC have been written to approach the design of such superconducting coils using optimization. These codes are capable of designing a system that consists of just a single coil or of multiple coils connected in series.