Improved quench localization and quench propagation velocity measurements in the LHC superconducting dipole magnets

The series tests performed on the LHC superconducting magnets at cryogenic condition give a unique opportunity to understand the mechanisms responsible for the instabilities causing the so-called training quenches. The first series production tests demonstrated that the weak points in the LHC dipoles are the coil extremities in which the majority of the quenches are located. This evidence triggered the idea of improving the resolution of the measuring system to better characterize the starting region of a quench and the beginning of its propagation. The new quench antennas equipped with sets of small, 4 cm long, and sensitive pick-up coils were designed. The system is described in detail and the first measurement results are presented. It turned out that this tool is also a reliable technique for measuring the quench propagation velocity especially in the particular regions of the superconducting coils like the crossing between the straight section of the magnet and its extremity.