A simple screening current-induced magnetic field estimation method for REBCO pancake coils

The development of NMR/MRI REBa ₂ Cu ₃ O _y (REBCO, RE = rare earth) magnets is happening all over the world. It has been found that screening current-induced magnetic fields (SCMFs) are a serious problem for NMR/MRI magnets wound with REBCO tapes. The reduction of SCMFs is strongly desired, and the estimation of SCMFs is also desired at the design stage of REBCO magnets. In order to evaluate a SCMF, a finite element method (FEM) or a boundary integration method is needed thus far, and a high-level simulation technique is required. In this paper, we develop an easy method to estimate a SCMF without a high-level simulation technique. In this method, the inductance of a winding turn is calculated and then a screening current is estimated according to the magnetic field penetrating into the winding turn. The SCMF is obtained from the estimated screening current. The SCMFs computed by the proposed method were compared with measurements and simulation results of the FEM. The results agreed well, but we can see a large difference. However, the SCMFs found by the proposed method are accurate enough to know they are at the design stage without the use of a high-level simulation technique.