Extrudable NbTi Superconductor with Ferromagnetic Pins for Undulator Magnets

Advanced undulator radiation sources are required for current and future light sources at DOE user facilities. This project will develop and demonstrate an extrudable NbTi superconductor with ferromagnetic pins as undulators. The critical aspects of the conductor design will include optimizing the pin size and distribution, in order to maximize the bulk pinning force of the conductor. Phase I will prove the feasibility of hot extrusion of the Ni APC NbTi superconductors by fabricating billets (32 mm OD by 250 mm long) for each restack step. The billets will be hot extruded and then drawn to the next restack assembly size. This procedure will be repeated through the final fourth step. If the feasibility study proves to be successful, then larger diameter billets will be planed for Phase II, which also will involve the development of methods to reduce the steps, increase piece lengths, and reduce cost. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee In addition to DOE applications, undulator magnets are important for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The current NMR market includes spectrometers up to operating frequencies of 800 MHz. Any additional improvements in NbTi superconductors could impact the cost of these high end spectrometers. The total NMR market is on the order of a quarter to a half billion dollars and growing. NMR spectroscopy is important for discovering new drugs, evaluating new synthetic materials, and exploring the realm of proteomics.