HTS leads in the Tevatron

The Tevatron accelerator uses 48 pairs of 5 kA superconducting current leads. At one location, the original conventional leads have been replaced with current leads incorporating High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) elements. These HTS leads are cooled primarily by liquid nitrogen flowing from the 80 K intercept, which exits at the room temperature end of the leads. A small flow of helium cools the HTS section from the 4 K level, but this flow is about 1/10 of that required for conventional leads. The leads are powered at 4.34 kA to meet Tevatron requirements. The retrofit design, lead testing, cryogenic behavior, and operational characteristics when installed in the Tevatron are described. The lead pair has been operational since May 2000. Plans call for future installation of up to seven more pairs of these leads