Superconducting magnets

Although small superconducting magnets have been in regular use in many laboratories for several years, it is only recently that the technical difficulties preventing the use of superconductors in large magnet systems have been overcome. A better understanding of the transient thermal and magnetic behavior of such devices has led to various methods of reducing or eliminating the degradation effects present in earlier magnets. The use of large amounts of very high conductivity normal metal in conjunction with the superconductor has resulted in "stabilized" magnets whose behavior is completely predictable and which will not quench except under unusual conditions. Other techniques have been developed to improve "unstable" magnets so that very high field coils can be constructed. These developments are dramatically altering the equipment used in high-energy physics and controlled thermonuclear experiments, and their effect on other areas of technology is already beginning to be felt.