Superconducting technologies are a key enabling element for future particle accelerators and large research facilities, with important applications also in areas such as fusion, energy and medical technologies. Within CHART@PSI, the Superconducting Systems Development and Synergies subproject develops innovative superconducting magnet technologies and related systems, while leveraging these capabilities to support broader scientific, industrial and societal applications.
Mission: superconducting magnet development for future accelerators
The main activity is the development of high-field accelerator magnet technologies through the CHART MagDev projects, which constitute PSI’s contribution to the international High Field Magnet (HFM) Programme. The development follows complementary Low-Temperature Superconductor (LTS) and High-Temperature Superconductor (HTS) roadmaps.
The LTS programme focuses mainly on Nb₃Sn and Nb-Ti technologies for high-field accelerator magnets. Activities include application-tailored magnet concept development and design, coil manufacturing, model validation, as well as magnet protection. Special attention is given to scalability, manufacturability, and cost reduction. In parallel, the HTS programme investigates REBCO-based cable and coil technologies targeting high-field, compact and energy-efficient superconducting systems, with particular attention to manufacturing, field quality, AC losses, mechanics and protection.
Further CHART projects address specific accelerator applications and enabling technologies. The CHART HTS4 project investigates REBCO-based nested combined-function magnets for FCC-ee with the objective of reducing energy consumption during operation. It combines in-house developments in automated coil manufacturing and tuned turn-to-turn electrical contact resistance with the integration of cryogenic power electronics developed through a sister project with ETH Zürich in the framework of Horizon Europe.
The CHART MagNum project develops advanced numerical methods for the analysis and design of superconducting magnets, while CHART MagMu addresses superconducting-magnet-related technology developments, including alternative materials and concepts relevant to coil protection.
The P3 positron capture solenoid uses high-field non-insulated (NI) REBCO technology for the PSI positron source demonstrator. The project contributes to the development of innovative, compact and conduction-cooled superconducting solenoids for future accelerator applications.
Together, these activities support the development of reliable, scalable and increasingly sustainable superconducting magnet technologies for future accelerator facilities.
Synergies and societal applications
The technologies, processes and state-of-the-art infrastructure established through CHART also enable broader applications within PSI and through external collaborations.
Industrial collaborations include the development of superconducting magnet and cable technologies for fusion energy, as well as manufacturing processes related to superconducting devices for medical applications. These collaborations provide opportunities to transfer CHART-developed technologies to areas with significant societal impact and to explore innovative and more sustainable superconducting solutions.
Across PSI, the same competencies support superconducting developments for other large research facilities. Current examples include superconducting devices for the Swiss Light Source (SLS) beam lines, developments related to the Swiss Spallation Neutron Source (SINQ), and further applications where compactness, efficiency or advanced cryogenic operation can provide advantages.
The objectives of the Superconducting Systems Development and Synergies subproject can therefore be summarized as:
Develop scalable magnet technologies for future accelerators;
Advance high-field magnet technology through PSI’s contribution to the HFM Programme;
Develop enabling technologies and processes for superconducting cables, coil manufacturing, materials, instrumentation, protection and cryogenics;
Provide numerical tools and experimental capabilities supporting superconducting magnet development;
Deliver superconducting systems for accelerator applications;
Leverage CHART technologies, processes and infrastructure to create synergies with other PSI facilities and industrial applications.