Coherent-Phase Optical Time Domain Reflectometry for Monitoring High-Temperature Superconducting Magnet Systems

High-temperature superconductor (HTS) magnet systems, especially those designed for fusion reactors, require effective and reliable monitoring to avoid damaging anomalies. In tokamaks, some of the magnetic coils are time-dependent, which causes strain and large inductive voltages within the magnet, rendering detection of incipient quench challenging. Ionizing radiation can also create material defects and lead to non-uniform degradation of conductors. The resulting decrease in critical current uniformity across the magnet, along with manufacturing defects, such as failure of structural materials or cooling systems, can all potentially initiate a quench. HTS magnets have a lower normal zone propagation velocity than low-temperature superconductors, and this causes normal zones to be localized, increasing the risk of permanent damage. Fiber optic sensors have several qualities that are essential in fusion systems. Unlike traditional voltage-based sensors, fiber optic cables are immune to the large electromagnetic fields present. This study presents and validates a fiber optic interrogation technique for monitoring magnetic confinement fusion and other high-temperature superconducting magnet systems. Coherent-phase optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) allows for the high sampling rates (tens of kHz) necessary to quickly detect and mitigate quench events over the long distances required to monitor fusion magnet systems. This technique was demonstrated to successfully detect localized thermal transients at cryogenic temperatures as low as 6 K. These outcomes were also demonstrated using fibers embedded in HTS magnet coils at 77 K, verifying the potential for this interrogation technique’s use for failure detection in HTS coils.