Fibre-optic strain sensing in a prototype fusion magnet

Superconducting magnets are the key to enabling magnetic confinement fusion. OpenStar Technologies are developing fusion energy technology based on a levitated dipole magnet.

The magnets generate huge fields, but also experience huge forces. Monitoring strains in and around the magnets at cryogenic temperatures, in the presence of strong electromagnetic interference, and ultimately under intense radiation is a challenge we can try to solve using optical sensing methods.

This project will demonstrate fibre-optic strain sensing in a prototype fusion magnet in collaboration between Robinson Research and OpenStar Technologies. The key steps are:

• design fibre sensing system to minimise strain and temperature cross-sensitivity

• develop methods of installing the fibre sensing to get reproducible sensing performance

• demonstrate sensing performance during magnet operation

The intern will gain familiarity with fibre optic sensing, cryogenics, and superconducting magnet instrumentation. The work will be split between Robinson labs in Petone, and OpenStar in Ngauranga.

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