Designing a Quasi-Symmetric Superconducting Stellarator eXperiment at Columbia (CSX)

This research aims to repurpose the Columbia Non-Neutral Torus (CNT) into a superconducting, quasi-symmetric stellarator called CSX. This work will lay the foundation for a new generation of optimized stellarators, which will play a crucial role in advancing clean energy technologies by testing new stellarator configurations featuring a simple concept with few coils alongside the wide access plasma. The main project focus is building two interlocking, non-planar high-temperature superconducting coils (~1.2m diameter). Our studies also include exploring low-resistance joint connections between tape segments, low-strain winding techniques, and designing high-current leads to power the tapes. We are investigating the feasibility of 3D printing the bobbin in copper for strong heat transfer, and in interlocking, segmented sections for easy coil assembly. Currently, our configuration design team is optimizing the coil shape to achieve quasi-symmetry while our engineering team works on realizing a minimum viable prototype. This prototype aims to validate key aspects of our approach, including 3D printing and assembling a bobbin, soldering HTS segments, maintaining superconductivity during winding and potting of the magnet, testing the cooling system design, and measuring the resulting magnetic field.