Innovative method for quench localization in superconducting high-order magnets

The quench event is the transition into the normal resistive state of superconducting magnets. Since this critical event can damage the magnet and limit its performance, huge efforts in the scientific community are spent to localize its development and study the relevant causes. Conventional methods for quench detection, such as voltage taps, are embedded in the magnet, representing a potential risk of short circuits during the coil operation. Less invasive methods, such as quench antennas, have many advantages but can be applied to few magnet designs. During my PhD research, I developed an innovative idea based on the analysis of the magnetic field perturbation induced by superconducting hysteresis magnetization. Using standard field measurement technologies, I demonstrated that the residual superconducting magnetization of the high-order corrector magnets for the CERN High-Luminosity LHC upgrade allows the quench position reconstruction with high efficiency and accuracy. With these techniques, we found different quench developments not measured by standard methods. The excellent results encouraged the implementation of this analysis for future superconducting magnets.