13 kA Superconducting Busbars Manufacturing Process

In the LHC, the superconducting Main Bending magnets and Quadrupole magnets are series-connected electrically in different excitation circuits by means of superconducting busbars, carrying a maximum current of 13 kA. These superconducting busbars consist of a superconducting Rutherford cable thermally and electrically coupled to a copper section all along the length. The function of the copper section is essentially to provide an alternative path for the magnet current in case of resistive transition. The production of these components was originally outsourced. The decision to import the technology at CERN led to a global re-engineering of the standard process. Although based on the procedures adopted during the LHC construction, a few modifications and improvements have been implemented, profiting of the experience gained in the last few years. This document details the manufacturing process of the 13 kA busbars as it is actually performed at CERN, emphasizing the new solutions adopted during the first months of production.