Toward an Encapsulated LTS Quench Detector for Fast Quench Detection in HTS Magnets

A fast and reliable quench detection method is one of the most urgent demands for the development of high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets. Among the several new methods, using a co-wound low temperature superconductor (LTS) shows unique advantages over the others like optic fibers, acoustic signals, radio-frequency wave, stray-capacitance, or even fluorescent thermal imaging. First, an LTS quench detector after all measures voltage signals which is the same as present quench detection method. In addition, it is applicable to almost all kinds of magnets, regardless of the coil geometry or cooling method: the only need is to properly install the LTS wire. Here we propose an encapsulated Nb3Sn quench detector that is inspired by the quench heater. With numerical quench simulations, different arrangements of the Nb3Sn wires are studied for their detection efficiency. The thickness of the insulation between REBCO coil and Nb3Sn wire is also studied.