Parametric scaling of a magnetic field-reversed conducting coil assembly for radiation shielding

Abstract We explore the design scalability of an active magnetic shield for protecting against isotropic radiation, such as galactic cosmic rays in deep space. Each shield is composed of two concentric, elliptical layers of circular conducting coils, each arranged like lines of latitude on a globe, with the current modulated to amplify the magnetic field in the layer between the ellipses, and canceling within. The efficacy of this field-reversed array for creating a shell of magnetic energy to protect a central object from isotropic radiation is explored using quantitative analyses of incident particle momentum. The parametric scalings are verified through ANSYS magnetostatic modeling and corresponding 3D-printed test article demonstrations matching vector magnetic field models. The quantitative parameters utilized here can be applied to constrain and optimize magnetic shielding requirements of this type with respect to size, maximum current, total number of coils, and mass. We will also demonstrate that these parametric scalings can help design future experimental tests of this shield type for deflecting any class of incident radiation.