Takayoshi Miyazaki

Operation of a 920-MHz high-resolution NMR magnet at TML

A 920-MHz high-resolution NMR spectrometer has been operating at the Tsukuba Magnet Laboratory (TML) since April 2002. It has proved its effectiveness by determining the 3-D structures of protein molecules. To accelerate studies in structural biology and solid-state NMR, a second high-field NMR magnet was developed and installed at TML. Although its basic design was the same as that of the first magnet, some improvements were made. For the innermost coil, a 16%Sn-bronze-processed (Nb,Ti)/sub 3/Sn conductor was employed. The increase in the critical current density above that of a 15%Sn-bronze-processed (Nb,Ti)/sub 3/Sn conductor made it possible to reduce the conductor size from 3.5 mm /spl times/ 1.75 mm in the first magnet to 2.80 mm /spl times/ 1.83 mm in the second. At the same operating current of the first magnet, the second magnet is expected to operate at 930 MHz. The liquid helium reservoir and the superfluid helium cooler, which were separated in the first system, were united in the same chamber in the new magnet. The latter magnet was energized up to 21.9 T without quenching in March 2004 and has operated in a persistent-mode at that field. It will be utilized mainly for solid-state NMR measurements.

HTS-NMR: Present Status and Future Plan

Using high-Tc superconductors (HTS) is considered to be the only solution to dramatically increase the highest fields of NMR magnets because of their high critical fields. However, it is not easy to apply HTS to an NMR spectrometer (HTS-NMR) because a persistent-mode operation with HTS cannot satisfy the field stability of 0.01 ppm/h at present. To overcome this problem, we are now developing an HTS-NMR spectrometer in a driven-mode operation. As the first step, a layer-wound coil was fabricated with bronze-reinforced Bi-2223 conductors. Instead of the Nb3Sn coil, the Bi-2223 coil was installed as the innermost part of an existing NMR magnet. The magnet operated at a field of 11.7 T with a highly stabilized power supply. NMR measurements were carried out, and it was demonstrated that the quality of the multi-dimensional NMR spectra on the protein was equivalent to that obtained with a persistent-mode system. The next step will be to demonstrate its usefulness as a high-field NMR system. The upgrade of the 920 MHz NMR system installed at the Tsukuba Magnet Laboratory is underway. Its innermost coil is scheduled to be replaced by a Bi-2223 layer-wound coil for 2010. Its target field is 24.2 T (1.03 GHz).

Bi-2223 Innermost Coil for 1.03 GHz NMR Magnet

Because of their high critical fields, high-Tc superconductors (HTS) are considered to be the only solution to dramatically increase the highest fields of NMR magnets. We have successfully demonstrated that a 500 MHz HTS/LTS NMR system with a Bi-2223 innermost coil could be used for solution NMR in a driven-mode operation. As the next step, the upgrade of the 920 MHz NMR system installed at the Tsukuba Magnet Laboratory is underway. The innermost Nb3Sn coil has been replaced by a Bi-2223 coil. The coil was fabricated as a layer-wound coil using five Bi-2223 conductors reinforced with bronze tapes. It was connected in series with the outer Nb3Sn and NbTi coils. The magnet is expected to generate a field of 24.2 T (1.03 GHz of 1H resonance frequency) at an operating current of 244.4 A. The test using the Bi-2223 coil and the outer Nb3Sn coils in combination was successfully carried out. The coil has been installed in the 1.03 GHz NMR magnet. Its cooling and operation are scheduled to take place within Fiscal Year 2010.

Development of a Bi-2223 HTS Magnet for 3T MRI System for Human Brains

We are developing a cryogen-free high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet system for a compact 3T MRI system for human brains. In the conceptual design, the magnet system consists of 5 main coils that are layer windings of Bi-2223 tapes. The magnet system will have 500 mm room temperature bore and be operated at 20 K using G-M cryocoolers. The target field is 3 T ±5 ppm for 250 mm (dia,) and 200 mm (length) volume. All the coils will be connected in series and operated in driven mode. Controlled overpressure (CT-OP) processed Bi-2223/Ag tapes which are reinforced with Cu-alloy laminations are to be used for these coils. We investigated Ic-B-T performance in detail for short samples of the tape. We fabricated and tested five small layer-wound coils using the tape (38.4 ~ 46.2 m piece for each coil). Each small coil could be energized up to its expected current that was calculated using the short sample performance and the coil parameters. The maximum electromagnetic force (hoop stress) reached 137 MPa, and caused no degradation in the coil performance. These results show that our layer-winding techniques and the conductor performance (Ic-B-T and homogeneity along length) can be applicable and suitable for our 3T MRI magnet.

Development of Nb/sub 3/Sn superconductors for a 1 GHz NMR magnet. Dependence of high-field characteristics on tin content in bronze matrix

To realize a 1 GHz NMR magnet, superconducting properties such as critical current density (J/sub c/) and n-value are fundamental for conductors. J/sub c/ improvements of 15% to 27% have been observed in the conductor with Cu-15wt.%Sn-0.3wt.%Ti matrix compared with J/sub c/ in a conductor with Cu-13.wt%Sn-0.3wt.%Ti matrix. In contrast to J/sub c/, differences in n-values between conductors have not appeared. In this study, systematic analysis for dependence of J/sub c/ and n-value in the high field region on Sn content over 13wt.% in bronze was examined based on the microstructures, i.e. the amount of reacted layer, grain size of Nb/sub 3/Sn, and upper critical field (H/sub c2/) supported with stoichiometric analyses.

Development of high Sn content bronze processed Nb/sub 3/Sn superconducting wire for high field magnets

Bronze processed Nb/sub 3/Sn superconducting wire with Cu-16wt%Sn-0.3wt%Ti (16%Sn bronze) matrix has been developed. For the development, two-step approach was taken. At the first step, two kinds of small size round wires, having a bronze to niobium ratio (bronze ratio) of 2.5 and 1.9, were prepared. Heat treatment was made on these wires at 650/spl deg/C or 700/spl deg/C and the effects of bronze ratio and heat treatment temperature on critical current density (J/sub c/) in magnetic field region from 18 to 25 T were examined. A sample with a bronze ratio of 2.5 and heated at 700/spl deg/C was found to show the highest J/sub c/ of all. In the second step, we manufactured commercial scale rectangular cross-sectioned wire using 16%Sn bronze. J/sub c/ n-value in high magnetic field region are estimated for this wire. As a result, the wire showed J/sub c/ and n-value of 115 A/mm/sub 2/ and 37, respectively, at 22 T, 2.1 K, demonstrating the possibility as a candidate superconducting wire for high field magnets such as over-920 MHz NMR magnet.

Bronze route conductors for 1 GHz NMR superconducting magnet

Bronze route Nb/sub 3/Sn conductors applied to 1 GHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer have been manufactured. Cu-1Swt%Sn-0.3wt%Ti (15% Sn-bronze) Nb/sub 3/Sn conductors employed in inner coils have shown overall J/sub c/ over 100 A/mm/sup 2/ in 21 T at 1.8 K. Other conductors with a Ta-core as a reinforcement employed in outer coils have presented a 0.2% proof strength of 300 MPa at 4.2 K. It is also reported that J/sub c/ of 15%-bronze conductors is enhanced to match that of the tube-processed Nb/sub 3/Sn conductors in the middle magnetic field region of 12-16 T.

Effect of heat treatment on critical current density and n-value of (Nb,Ti)/sub 3/Sn multifilamentary superconducting wire

Studies on the relationship between n-value and heat treatment conditions of Nb/sub 3/Sn multifilamentary wires in addition to those on be are presented. The wire was manufactured in bronze process. It was heated in various conditions, then voltage-current (V-I) characteristics of each specimen were measured. In the range of the heat treatment temperature, n-value increases with temperature but J/sub c/ decreases. The properties were discussed based on the results of microscopic observation and were investigated with upper critical field (Bc/sub 2/). The results from these investigations suggest the dependence of n-value on Bc/sub 2/.<<ETX>>

Towards a beyond 1 GHz solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance: external lock operation in an external current mode for a 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance.

Achieving a higher magnetic field is important for solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). But a conventional low temperature superconducting (LTS) magnet cannot exceed 1 GHz (23.5 T) due to the critical magnetic field. Thus, we started a project to replace the Nb(3)Sn innermost coil of an existing 920 MHz NMR (21.6 T) with a Bi-2223 high temperature superconducting (HTS) innermost coil. Unfortunately, the HTS magnet cannot be operated in persistent current mode; an external dc power supply is required to operate the NMR magnet, causing magnetic field fluctuations. These fluctuations can be stabilized by a field-frequency lock system based on an external NMR detection coil. We demonstrate here such a field-frequency lock system in a 500 MHz LTS NMR magnet operated in an external current mode. The system uses a (7)Li sample in a microcoil as external NMR detection system. The required field compensation is calculated from the frequency of the FID as measured with a frequency counter. The system detects the FID signal, determining the FID frequency, and calculates the required compensation coil current to stabilize the sample magnetic field. The magnetic field was stabilized at 0.05 ppm∕3 h for magnetic field fluctuations of around 10 ppm. This method is especially effective for a magnet with large magnetic field fluctuations. The magnetic field of the compensation coil is relatively inhomogeneous in these cases and the inhomogeneity of the compensation coil can be taken into account.

Development of Nb 3 Sn Superconducting Wires for High-field Magnets

Synopsis: Research and development activities and some recent results related to Nb3Sn superconducting wires produced by Kobe Steel, Ltd. and Japan Superconductor Technology Inc. (JASTEC) are introduced. An outline of the activities is described from a historical point of view. Improvements in the characteristics (i.e., critical current density (Jc), n-value and mechanical properties) of bronze-processed Nb3Sn wires are reviewed. Finally, the status of development for the Ta-Sn powder-in-tube (TS-PIT) process newly proposed by Tachikawa is described.