Berkeley Lab Senior Scientist Paolo Ferracin (right) discussing residual resistivity ratio (RRR) measurements of conductor samples taken from Rutherford cables with Senior Engineering Associate Mike Naus (middle) and Research Scientist Jean-Francois Croteau (left).

CPRD is a cross-cutting element within the USMDP that addresses superconductor technology challenges. We explore and push – and ultimately will define — the performance limits of superconducting accelerator magnets. Conductor is a few years upstream of magnet-building in the overall logistics chain; therefore its procurement must be appropriately forward-looking and incorporate input from magnet designers. We position ourselves to be in close partnership with the other USMDP Areas and to be well-connected to the international community and the industry suppliers. Our results will strengthen US leadership in conductor development for high-field accelerator magnet technology.

CPRD plays essential roles in facilitating magnet research:

Berkeley Lab postdoctoral scholar Nandana Menon (right) discussing microscopy of Nb₃Sn cable samples with Research Scientist Jean-Francois Croteau (middle) and Technician Elain Buron (left).

• We try to understand the interplay between raw material properties and conductor processing improvements
• We connect magnet and coil performances with cables and wire design boundaries
• We invest in easing bottlenecks (supply and technology) within foreseeable conductor procurement timelines and building up inventory.

Our near-term goal is to ensure that the magnet programs are not limited by conductor availability. In the long term, we aim to ensure that the magnet programs are not limited by conductor performance.