DAPNIA-06-10 |
---|
Overview and status of the Next European Dipole (NED) joint research activity |
A Devred, B Baudouy, D E Baynham, T Boutboul, S Canfer, M Chorowski, P Fabbricatore, S Farinon, H Félice, P Fessia, J Fydrych, V Granata, M Greco, J Greenhalgh, D Leroy, P Loverige, M Matkowski, G Michalski, F Michel, L R Oberli, A den Ouden, D Pedrini, S Pietrowicz, J Polinski, V Previtali, L Quettier, D Richter, J M Rifflet, J Rochford, F Rondeaux, S Sanz, C Scheuerlein, N Schwerg, S Sgobba, M Sorbi, F Toral-Fernandez, R van Weelderen, P Védrine and G Volpini |
The Next European Dipole (NED) Joint Research Activity was launched on 1st January 2004 to promote the development of high performance Nb3Sn conductors in collaboration with European industry (aiming at a non-copper critical current density of 1500 A/mm2 at 4.2 K and 15 T) and to assess the suitability of Nb3Sn technology to the next generation of accelerator magnets (aiming at an aperture of 88 mm and a conductor peak field of ~15 T). It is part of the Coordinated Accelerator Research in Europe (CARE) project, involves eight collaborators and is half-funded by the European Union. After briefly recalling the Activity organization, we report the main progress achieved over the last year, which includes: the manufacturing of a double-bath He II cryostat for heat transfer measurements through Nb3Sn conductor insulation, detailed quench computations for various NED-like magnet configurations, the award of two industrial subcontracts for Nb3Sn conductor development, he first results of a cross-calibration program of test facilities for Nb3Sn wire characterization, detailed investigations of the mechanical properties of heavily cold-drawn Cu/Nb/Sn composite wires and the preliminary assessment of a new insulation system based on polyimide-sized fiber glass tapes. Last, we briefly review the efforts of an ongoing Working Group on magnet design and optimization. |