Progress of the Design of HTS Magnet Option and R&D Activities for the Helical Fusion Reactor

The high-temperature superconducting magnet option is being explored in the conceptual design studies of the LHD-type helical fusion reactor FFHR-d1. A 100 kA-class conductor is being developed by simply stacking REBCO tapes in a copper and stainless-steel jacket. One of the design options of the HTS conductor includes internal insulation so that the windings do not require vacuum pressure impregnation process. Innovative winding method of the huge helical coils is being investigated based on the segment fabrication of half-helical-pitch conductors by developing a bridge-type mechanical lap joint. A “30 kA-class” prototype conductor sample was fabricated using GdBCO tapes and successfully tested. The critical current was measured at various temperatures at 4.2-40 K and magnetic field <; 8 T. The joint resistance was evaluated by changing the applied stress. These experimental results are boosting the HTS magnet design of FFHR-d1.