Oxford
Instruments has received an order for state-of-the-art high field magnet
from Diamond Light Source for ultra high vacuum experiments. This order is for a
14 T split pair superconducting magnet, which will provide a high magnetic and
low temperature (<1.5 K) sample environment during experiments when a sample
will be exposed to an x-ray beam under ultra high vacuum. It will be used on the
new I10 Beamline for Advanced Dichroism Experiments (BLADE) at Diamond Light
Source (Oxfordshire, UK) and dedicated to soft x-ray magnetic spectroscopy.
To allow fast ramping of the magnetic field, this magnet will be constructed
using Oxford Instruments' innovative Nb3Sn superconducting wire, developed as
part of its contract to supply 58 tonnes of wire to the ITER project. It will
also be fitted with a recondensing cryostat which considerably decreases the
liquid helium consumption of such powerful superconducting magnets while
enabling stringent magnet designs. Recondensing technology uses a cryocooler to
capture evaporated gas and turn it back into liquid helium.
Last year Oxford Instruments supplied the ISIS neutron source, situated on
the same site as Diamond, with two high field split pair magnets fitted with
these recondensing systems- a 9 T wide-angle and a 14 T at 4.2 K.
The Diamond BLADE magnet will also be of very clean construction as it will
work in a ultra high vacuum (UHV) environment, building on capabilities,
processes and facilities which Oxford Instruments has developed over the last
two years to allow the cleanest construction of magnets and ultra low
temperature inserts.
John Burgoyne, Manager of the Magnets Business Group at Oxford Instruments
says: "Working with customers at the leading edge of science and technology such
as Diamond Light Source, the ISIS neutron source and many other world-leading
research institutes and facilities whose requirements constantly drive and
challenge our own technology development, continuously enhances our expertise in
advanced superconducting magnet systems. In particular we are pleased to be able
to build upon our strengths in high field recondensing magnet systems for
beamline applications with this order.
We are delighted to have this opportunity to work closely with the Diamond
team and to be a part of the UK and local economy which both supports and
benefits from this world-class science base in the UK".