Applied superconductivity to accelerator magnets

The transport properties of superconducting tapes and wires for the electrotechnical applications have been investigated. The characterization measurements were carried out in our laboratory with particular attention to the investigation of the instabilities and the Normal Zone Propagation Velocity, NZPV, on novel High-Temperature Superconductors, HTS, tapes based on the rare earth compounds. The experimental measurements of superconducting features were done on some commercial tapes by using the laboratory tools adapted for this kind of experiment. Computer simulation on these tapes showed that the distance from the quench ignition region affects the NZPV values. A simple model proved that the tape length for making NZPV measurement is limited and depending on the current bias. A typical use of HTS is the realization of high current leads. A study of the possibility of using two cooling systems is used for the realization of current leads optimized for the usage with 10 kA optimized also while working also at 20 kA. The verification tests of dipoles and Quadrupole Modules, QDM, of SIS100 as performed at the Serial Test Facility of GSI in Darmstadt are reported. Vacuum tight, leakage, and electrical tests on the vessels containing the superconducting magnets and their accessory devices are done. Further to this activity, the build-up of the instrumental facilities into the Salerno laboratory is described. A detailed description of the automated electrical test boxes and their realization is explained in some details. The aspects related to the creation of a computer-controlled instrument network, with automatic test procedures, and the perspective of a full-automatized system closes this thesis. [edited by Author]