Two HTS options for a 600 MHz insert of a 1.3 GHz LTS/HTS NMR magnet: YBCO and BSCCO

In 2008, the Phase 3 program to complete a 1.3 GHz (30.5 T) NMR magnet started at the Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It comprises two sub-phases, 3A and 3B. In Phase 3A, a 600 MHz high temperature superconductor (HTS) insert magnet (H600) will be designed, constructed, and operated in the bore of a 500 MHz low temperature superconductor (LTS) background magnet. This will be followed by Phase 3B, in which the H600 will be combined with a 700 MHz LTS background magnet to complete a 1.3 GHz NMR LTS/HTS magnet. This paper presents and discusses design issues for two conductor options for H600: BiSCCO-2223 (Bi2223) and coated-YBCO or its variants, here designated as YBCO. For each conductor option, we focused on the following issues: (1) elastic and thermal properties; (2) critical current vs. field performance; (3) splice and index heat dissipations; (4) mechanical and thermal stresses; and (5) protection.