The effect of low temperature cryocoolers on the development of low temperature superconducting magnets

0The commercial development of reliable 4 K cryocoolers improves the future prospects for magnets made from low temperature superconductors (LTS). The hope of the developers of high temperature superconductors (HTS) has been to replace liquid helium cooled LTS magnets with HTS magnets that operate a t or near liquid nitrogen temperature. There has been limited success in th is endeavor, but continued problems with HTS conductors have greatly slowed progress toward this goal. The development of cryocoolers that reliably op erate below 4 It will allow magnets made from LTS conductor to remain very competitive for many years to came. A key enabling technology for the use o f low temperature cryocoolers on LTS magnets has been the development of HT S leads. This report describes the characteristics of LTS magnets that can be successfully melded to low-temperature cryocoolers. This report will als o show when it is not appropriate to consider the use of low-temperature cr yocoolers to cool magnets made with LTS conductor. A couple of specific exa mples of LTS magnets where cryocoolers can be used are given.