Quench modeling of the ATLAS superconducting toroids

Details of the normal zone propagation and the temperature distribution in the coils of ATLAS Toroids under quench are presented. A tailor-made mathem atical model and corresponding computer code enable obtainment of computati onal results for the propagation process over the coils in transverse (turn -to-turn) and longitudinal directions. The slow electromagnetic diffusion i nto the pure aluminum stabilizer of the Toroid's conductor, as well as the essentially transient heat transfer through inter-turn insulation, is appro priately included in the model, The effect of non-uniform distribution of t he magnetic field and the thermal links to the coil casing on the temperatu re gradients within the coils is analyzed in full.