in HTS project

Oxford Instruments has successfully achieved a rating of 22.07 Tesla (T) in a fully superconducting magnet operating at 4.2 Kelvin (K) as part of its study into the use of high temperature superconducting (HTS) and low temperature superconducting (LTS) technologies in the creation of high magnetic fields.

The company said the operation of the wide bore magnet at this level is a "major step forward" for its Impdahma project, which aims to develop an integrated modelling package for the design of advanced HTS magnets.

Previously, the wide bore magnets with ratings higher than 18 T could only be created by super-cooling the magnet’s surface to 2.2 K using liquid helium.

By operating at 4.2 K, the temperature of liquid helium at atmospheric pressure, consumption is "significantly" reduced, leading to "crucial" cost savings, Oxford Instruments said.

Furthermore, at 4.2 K, the liquid helium can be re-condensed as it evaporates from the magnet vessel by using a special solution and mechanical cryocoolers, leading to more savings.

Impdahma project manager Dr Ziad Melhem said: "We are delighted by this major achievement which sets new records for superconducting research magnets using LTS and HTS materials."

Oxford Instruments provides specialist equipment for areas including nanoanalysis, X-rays, superconducting and molecular biotools.