Development of a 5 Tesla Vector Magnetometer for Synchrotron Radiation Experiments

The magnetic field is a critical parameter in a number of physical systems. For the complex magnetic fields used in experiments designed to achieve a detailed understanding of physical mechanisms and to improve materials for a variety of high-profile applications, control of both the field amplitude and its vector components is critical. This project will develop a vector magnetometer for providing unprecedented high-magnetic-field control for soft X-ray experiments at any advanced light source facility in the world. Nb3Sn superconductors will be used with an appropriate mechanical and cryogenic structure to produce user-accessible fields in excess of 5T. In Phase I, Nb3Sn system design studies will be performed for a 5Telsa vector magnetometer to achieve a 25 mm sample volume. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee:The vector magnetometer should have application to the large and growing, suite of synchrotron radiation facilities throughout the world. Vector magnetometers are highly-sought instruments, allowing detailed investigation of the behavior of magnetic materials, from rare-earth multi-layers to high temperature superconductors