Design and Development of a High-Temperature Superconductor CCT Magnet for Research and Hadron Therapy Applications

The European I.FAST project’s Work Package 8 (WP8) initiative focuses on advancing Canted Cosine Theta (CCT) magnet technology using High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS). These magnets aim to revolutionize synchrotron and gantry designs by reducing their size and cost, offering transformative potential for research and hadron therapy. HTS materials enable higher magnetic fields and smaller cryogenic systems compared to Low-Temperature Superconductors (LTS). However, challenges such as cable production, magnet design, and cost-efficiency must be addressed. This work presents the design of a straight HTS CCT magnet capable of achieving a central dipole field of 4 T at an operating temperature of 20 K, using a cable configuration composed of two HTS tapes. A ramp rate of 0.4 T/s is targeted, with a lower initial ramp rate of 0.15–0.2 T/s deemed acceptable for early-stage development. The magnetic design was optimized to ensure high field quality under operational conditions. Heat extraction is managed through a closed-loop cooling system, with 20 K-helium gas flowing through channels digged directly in the body of the magnet. Thermal simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of this cooling approach, ensuring operational stability. Additionally, the paper highlights key assembly procedures and experimental tests conducted for qualifying critical fabrication steps, including cabling and winding. Results from these tests confirm the reliability and robustness of the developed methods, flooring the way for future HTS CCT magnet advancements. The progress presented here represents a significant step toward compact and efficient superconducting magnets, aligning with the project’s goal of fostering innovative solutions for next-generation synchrotrons and gantries.