Magnesium Diboride Magnets for Future Particle Detectors

Since 1978, when the CELLO magnet was manufactured, superconducting detector magnets have been wound using NbTi based, Aluminum stabilized conductors. However, other choices are possible and Magnesium Diboride (MgB 2 ) could be an attractive alternative. Magnets wound with MgB 2 can be operated at relatively high temperature (10 to 20 K), therefore increasing the cryogenics efficiency. Efficiency is not the only advantage in using MgB 2 instead of NbTi: higher operating temperature and higher temperature margin lead to higher enthalpy margin, which means very stable magnets. In addition, MgB 2 is much cheaper respect to High Temperature Superconductors. The cost comparison between Al stabilized NbTi magnets and MgB 2 magnets must be made considering the entire fabrication process.