The Accelerators, Cryogeny and Magnetism Division

The Laboratory for Superconducting Magnet Research (LEAS) was set up to meet the needs of IRFU physicists for research into magnetic fields. For this purpose, it designs superconducting magnets for experimental facilities, especially large-scale or high-field magnets, and carries out prime contracting activities in this area.

When designing superconducting magnets, LEAS applies its expertise to the optimization of coil geometry, conductor design, mechanical, electromagnetic, and thermal calculations, and magnetic protection in the event of quench. In addition to designing magnets, LEAS has the capacity to manage large projects, to develop magnets and integrate them into cryostats, and to provide follow-up for industrial projects. Magnet control is carried out jointly with the Cryogenics Laboratory and Test Stations (LCSE). Measurement work includes analyses of tests at ambient and cryogenic temperatures, including quench analyses, and magnetic measurements.

Recent years have been marked by the completion of work on the construction of the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) accelerator at CERN. The laboratory made a significant contribution to activities in this area in Saclay, at CERN, and in European industry. Activities related to coil tests for the W7-X stellarator have also come to an end. New projects are now underway, such as the GLAD dipole for the R3B spectrometer, the solenoid for the Iseult imaging system.

To remain competitive, LEAS has defined several areas for further development. For this purpose, it maintains and improves its design tools, and supports an R&D program focusing on high magnetic fields. The program, which includes preparations for the LHC upgrade scheduled for 2020, concerns the use of niobium-tin and superconductors at a high critical temperature. It is among the projects funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) and Europe's EuCARD project.

Support for IRFU physics experiments has not been overlooked, and the laboratory is currently involved in development activities for the SuperFRS spectrometer (for the FAIR in Darmstadt) and the S³ spectrometer for the GANIL facility in Caen.

As at the end of 2009, the laboratory had a team of 16 engineers, 9 technicians, and 3 doctorate students.