Research and Development of Highly Stable Magnetic Field Coil System for REBCO High-temperature Superconducting Model Magnet Used in MRI

Abstract

Superconducting magnets are effective for obtaining a highly stable, strong magnetic field for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Current MRI superconducting magnets require cooling in liquid helium at 4.2 K in order to use NbTi superconducting wire. The development of a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) coil that can be used without liquid helium cooling is greatly desired. In order to develop liquid helium-free MRI magnets using a high-temperature superconductor, the author has prototyped a model magnet that is able to generate extremely uniform, highly stable magnetic fields. This particular development includes such subjects as developing a coil structure where the superconducting characteristics do not deteriorate, working on a method of producing precision coils, designing coils that generate extremely uniform magnetic fields, and having high-temperature superconducting coils generate highly stable magnetic fields. MR imaging was carried out to verify the uniformity and stability of the magnetic fields.