The Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX) magnet system

In the Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX), a hot plasma is formed about a le vitating superconducting dipole magnet in the center of a 5 m diameter vacu um vessel. The levitated magnet is suspended magnetically during an eight h our experimental run, then lowered and recooled overnight. The floating F-c oil magnet consists of a layer-wound magnet with 4 sections, designed to wr ap flux lines closely about the outside of the levitated cryostat. The cond uctor is a niobium-tin Rutherford cable, with enough stabilizer to permit p assive quench protection. Lead strips are used as thermal capacitors to slo w coil heating. An optimized system of bumpers and cold-mass supports reduc es heat leak into the helium vessel. Airbags catch the floating coil on que nches and faults, preventing collision with the vacuum vessel.