Manufacturing of lightweight low-current Nb3Sn ADR magnets operating at 10 K Original Research Article

Adiabatic demagnetization refrigerators (ADRs) using superconducting magnets are under development for cooling many NASA instruments. Due to higher efficiency of cryocoolers at 10 K, Nb3Sn magnets operating at 10 K are favored for space ADRs. Further, magnets need to be as light as possible and have low operating currents. This paper discusses technologies for the manufacture of lightweight, low-current Nb3Sn magnets and reports on testing of a 35 mm bore by 60 mm long magnet. This magnet weighed less than 1 kg and successfully produced 3 T at 11.5 K with an operating current of 8 A.