Superconducting magnet coil cooling and support arrangement

A superconducting magnet comprises a thermal conductor 11, 22, 24 connecting a cooling stage 21, 23 of a cryogenic refrigerator 2 to a superconducting coil 1. A radiation blocking layer 4 is formed around the superconducting coil 1 and a coil supporting body 9 is arranged in contact with the surface of the superconducting coil 1. The superconducting coil 1 is located in a vacuum chamber 3. The cryogenic refrigerator 2 may comprise a single or double stage device. The coil supporting body 9 is located between the superconducting coil 1 and the thermal shield layer 4 and may take various forms. The support 9 may provide a partial or complete enclosing support arrangement. A further coil container may be arranged between the superconducting coil 1 and the thermal shielding layer 4. Partial or complete support arrangements may be provided between the coils and such a container and between the further container and the thermal shield layer 4. The support 9 may be formed using glass fibre or carbon fibre or some other fibre reinforced plastic or a resin. Integral connection between the supporting body 9 and the radiation blocking layer 4 may be provided by at least one of adhesion by resin, impregnation, pressure welding, vapour deposition, screwing and concave-convex fitting.