The helium cryogenic system for the ATLAS experiment

The magnetic configuration of the ATLAS detector is generated by an inner superconducting solenoid and three air-core toroids (the barrel and two end-caps), each of them made of eight superconducting coils. Two separated helium refrigerators will be used to allow cool-down from ambient temperature and steady-state operation at 4.5 K of all the magnets having a total cold mass of about 600 tons. In comparison with the preliminary design, the helium distribution scheme and interface with the magnet sub-systems are simplified, resulting in a considerable improvement of the operational easiness and the overall reliability of the system at some expense of the operational flexibility. The paper presents the cryogenic layout and the basic principles for magnets cooldown, steady state operation and thermal recovery after a fast energy dump.