Asymmetrical Normal-Zone Propagation Observed in the Aluminum-Stabilized Superconductor for the LHD Helical Coils

Abstract

Transient normal-transitions have been observed in the superconducting helical coils of the Large Helical Device (LHD). Stability tests have been performed for an R&D coil as an upgrading program of LHD, and we observed asymmetrical propagation of an initiated normal-zone. In some conditions, a normal-zone propagates only in one direction along the conductor and it hence forms a traveling normal-zone. The Hall electric field generated in the longitudinal direction in the aluminum stabilizer is a plausible candidate to explain the observed asymmetrical normal-zone propagation.