Enabling Real-Time Impedance Measurements of Operational Superconducting Circuits of Accelerator Magnets

Impedance measurements of superconducting circuits routinely serve as means to anticipate their dynamic response and validate their electrical integrity. Usual procedures involve performing tests on non-powered systems during commissioning and maintenance periods. However, impedance measurements might have a strong potential in diagnostics of powered superconducting circuits as well. In particular, they should allow for on-line fault monitoring, enhanced quench detection, and deeper insight into the electrical properties of the circuits such as impedance variations or non-linear effects in the operational conditions. This paper outlines the design of an experimental platform enabling such an evaluation. In essence, this system is capable of injecting electrical stimuli into a magnet circuit and capturing the response. The acquired data are processed in order to extract circuit characteristics, in particular the impedance and its temporal evolution. In addition to discussing key design considerations related to measurement performance such as bandwidth, resolution, and sensitivity, the paper explores how to maintain transparent operation with respect to peripheral components such as the power converters and quench protection systems. Finally, the paper presents the validation campaign of the designed solution. The validation consists of two stages, including non-powered and powered superconducting circuits. The former case compares performance of the system to a state-of-the-art industrial impedance analyser, while the latter focuses on the impact the system has on peripheral components. Presented conclusions provide guidelines for front-end instrumentation design and data processing in order to enhance performance evaluation of superconducting circuits in their entire operational spectrum.