Transverse quench propagation measurement

We have experimentally simulated the wedge regions of the winding of the Superconducting Super Collider dipole and studied the propagation of quenches in them. This study is relevant for proper selection and design of the quench protection scheme. The windings of these 16.6 m long dipoles incorporate copper wedges in order to achieve the required magnetic field uniformity, and the delay that they impose on the transverse spreading of normal zones is one of the needed data that we present here. Quenches under constant currents were triggered with spot heaters, and their development recorded from voltage taps strategically located. Currents as high as 6 kA were used. Under zero magnetic field conditions the delays are too long for self-protecting schemes.