RUNNING HEAD: SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNET RECORD 1

Article Summary I

Superconducting Magnet Magnetic Field Record

Daniel Gigi, Alen Jomon, Shahid Khan

September 5th, 2019

Dr. Psaker
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Abstract

This article details the advancements that researchers in the National High Magnetic

Field Testing Laboratory (MagLab) at Florida State University were able to make indirect

current magnetic fields. A new superconducting magnet they designed was able to sustain a

charge of 45.5 Tesla during testing earlier this year. The key to their system’s success is a core

small enough to fit in a pint glass, weighing a mere 390 grams. This core is made of rare-earth

barium copper oxide (REBCO), which was able to beat the previous record of 45 Tesla held by a

niobium-based alloy created at the same facility. By making the coils of the solenoid thinner, the

density of the coils increases, thus a much larger and stronger magnetic field is more readily

created. The newest version of the so-called core of the design was able to reach 14.4 Tesla on its

own, beating the old “little big coil” record of 11.4 Tesla. When paired with a 31.1 tesla resistive

magnet and submerged in a chamber of liquid helium, the most recent version of the team's

REBCO was able to reach a new record. To conclude, by using a different compound as the

solenoid’s wire, keeping the large piping system within a few degrees of absolute zero, and

immersing the core in liquid helium, the MagLab was able to set a new direct current magnetic

field record.
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Materials and Methods

The experiment conducted at MagLab allowed the newly designed superconducting

magnet to sustain a 45.5 Tesla Magnetic Field Intensity. By cooling the apparatus made of thin

strips of rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) at temperatures near absolute zero, the

magnetic field was intensified. The paper-thin REBCO strips are tightly bound, which allows the

current to move smoothly through the strip without interruption or the need for any insulation;

hence, producing a greater magnetic field. In addition, it can help to dissipate any heat caused by

“quenches” - jumps in resistance which causes heat to build up in the strips. These advantages

paired together allowed for the record to be broken.

When paired with a resistive electromagnet which produced 33.6 Teslas alone, the system

was able to reach the old record of 45. The new record was set by pairing a superconductor of

14.4 Tesla with a 31.1 Tesla resistive magnet inside a chamber of liquid helium, allowing the

system to meet the combined 45.5 Tesla record.

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Analysis

The results found in this article indicate the vast potential magnetic and electrical

components provide in generating a magnetic field. The article extended on our limited

knowledge of solenoids and has furthered our interest in using magnetic fields as a viable project

idea. A concept we will look further into is the propulsion of a craft utilizing changing magnetic

fields to induce motion along a track. Another idea could be to attempt to generate a high

magnetic field under a budget and improve upon our designs until we have near maximized the

efficiency of the project.

Figure 1. The picture above displays the image of the superconductor that was able to hold a 45.5

Tesla Magnetic Field Intensity.

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References

McRae, M. (2019). A Superconducting Magnet Just Smashed The Strongest Magnetic Field

Record. Retrieved September 3, 2019, from: https://www.sciencealert.com/a-

superconducting-magnet-has-just-broken-a-record-for-strongest-magnetic-field