Demonstration of a Conduction Cooled React and Wind MgB₂ Coil Segment for MRI Applications

This study is a contribution to the development of technology for an MgB₂-based, cryogen-free, superconducting magnet for an MRI system. Specifically, we aim to demonstrate that a react and wind coil can be made using high performance in-situ route MgB₂ conductor, and that the conductor could be operated in conduction mode with low levels of temperature gradient. In this work, an MgB₂ conductor was used for the winding of a sub-size, MRI-like coil segment. The MgB₂ coil was wound on a 457 mm ID 101 OFE copper former using a react-and-wind approach. The total length of conductor used was 330 m. The coil was epoxy impregnated and then instrumented for low temperature testing. After the initial cool down (conduction cooling) the coil I was measured as a function of temperature (15-30 K), and an I of 200 A at 15 K was measured.