Elements of Superconductivity and Physics of High Field Magnets

The course aims at providing competences on the application of superconductivity to produce of high magnetic fields for physics research and particularly for particle accelerators. The first part of the course recalls aspects on classic thermodynamics useful to the basic comprehension of superconductivity and to the principles to reach low temperatures. In the second part a description of the current transport properties in superconductors is given. In the last part the problems concerning the design and construction in superconducting magnets are described.

At the end of the course the student will have acquired the following competences:
1. knowledge of working principles of systems to reach the low temperature, with ability to evaluate limits and working operativity.
2. Properties and macroscopic phenomenology of superconductor of I and II specie.
3. Property of current transport in superconductor II specie and limits.
4. Instability in superconductors.
5. Losses in superconductors
6. Critical aspects and design element of high field superconducting magnets for particle accelerators: aspects of electromagnetic, mechanical, thermal and quench protection design.