Speaker
Description
The MgB₂ wire manufacturing process at ASG Superconductors has reached an advanced level of maturity, ensuring high reproducibility and homogeneity in long-length superconducting wires and tapes. These wires are available in various sizes and configurations, with single-unit lengths extending up to 6–7 km. The wires exhibit excellent mechanical properties, tailored through the careful selection of sheath materials and optimized heat treatment parameters. As a result, the reacted wires are well-suited for magnet winding and cable production using industrial machinery. These characteristics make MgB₂ technology ideal for a range of applications, including magnets for MRI systems, particle accelerators, and detectors, as well as cables for power transmission, distribution networks, and busbars for industrial or fusion applications.
This work highlights one of the most compelling applications of MgB₂ technology: replacing low- and intermediate-field resistive magnets by superconducting ones. The PTOLEMY project, which aims to detect cosmological relic neutrinos—the oldest particles predicted by the Standard Model—serves as a prime example. These measurements require highly stable and uniform magnetic fields to maintain precision in particle detection and energy measurements. To support this endeavor, we are developing a low-power-consumption magnet based on ASG's MgB₂ wires.
The PTOLEMY magnet is designed as a C-type dipole with extension arms on one side of the pole faces to shape the fringe field, providing a consistent and uniform 1 T field in the air gap. While a resistive version of this magnet already exists, a cryogen-free superconducting magnet is being developing to optimize performance and energy efficiency. This transition from resistive to superconducting technology will not only reduce operational costs but also minimize the environmental impact, contributing to the sustainability of the experimental infrastructure.
In this work, we present the latest updates on the PTOLEMY magnet, focusing on wire selection, magnet and cryogenic design, quench protection strategies, and field uniformity optimization. Additionally, we provide an update on the manufacturing process and initial testing results. We also discuss future plans for further refinement of the magnet design, integration with the PTOLEMY experimental setup, and the potential scalability of this technology to other scientific and industrial applications.
