The Magnet Challenge
Dipoles and quadrupoles are essential steering and focusing elements in accelerators. Traditionally, these use electromagnets that are reliable but power hungry, bulky, and heat-generating. Replacing them with high-strength permanent magnets offered clear benefits, but created difficult engineering hurdles:
- Safely assembling large N52 neodymium magnets without misalignment or injury
- Preventing damage to fragile coatings during installation
- Reducing build times, which often stretched to a full day
Engineering a Safer, Faster Approach
Magnet Applications collaborated with STFC to develop a post-assembly magnetization process. Using a 2300 kA/m fixture, magnets could be installed in carriers while unmagnetized and then fully magnetized after assembly. This approach:
- Eliminated handling risks and orientation errors
- Protected magnet surfaces during installation
- Reduced build time from a full day to just two hours
STFC also redesigned carriers to use fewer slots and larger magnets, simplifying construction while maintaining required performance.
Results
- 75% faster assembly (two hours vs. one day)
- Improved technician safety through unmagnetized handling
- Simplified, cost-effective carrier design with fewer components
- Field performance maintained, matching electromagnets without energy consumption
Driving UK Innovation
Magnet Applications has partnered with STFC for more than a decade, supporting leading UK research programs with advanced magnetic engineering. The ZEPTO project highlights how permanent magnets can advance accelerator technology— delivering energy efficiency, safer assembly, and reliable performance in one solution.
