Quench propagation study for full-length RHIC dipole magnets

Study of quench propagation velocities and MIITs analysis of conductor hot spot temperatures during quench tests are important tools in designing quench protection strategies in superconducting accelerator magnets. Quench velocity and temperature studies have been performed on various superconducting magnets for the RHIC (Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider) project at BNL, during the research phase of magnet development there. They were done as part of an extensive test program to evaluate the mechanical and magnetic performance of RHIC magnets under varying conditions. This paper presents results for spot heater studies done on two of the full length RHIC prototype dipole magnets