SACLAY: Test of second LHC quadrupole

The second "two-in-one" quadrupole prototype for CERN's LHC proton collider has been successfully tested at Saclay. After transitions at 12353, 14890 and 14842 A, the latest magnet reached and exceeded the nominal intensity of 15060 A, corresponding to a gradient of 252 T/m. This is all the more outstanding because this new result was obtained only two months after the successful tests of the first quadrupole (December 1993, page 10). The remarkable efficiency of the operating teams in dismantling the first quadrupole, mounting the second one, cooling it down to superfluid helium temperature, and testing it, is due to the experience gained with the first prototype. The latest quadrupole was designed as part of the contract of collaboration between CERN and the French Atomic Energy Authority (DSM/DAPNIA/STCM) at Saclay. It is identical to the quadrupole successfully tested in October 1993 and delivered to CERN in December. These results confirm the soundness of the magnet design, the nominal characteristics of which are already 17% higher than required by the new LHC machine parameters. Prior to being delivered to CERN it will be intensively tested on Saclay's 1.8 K test bench to study the operation of the active protection system and the behaviour of the magnet during a transition.