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Bell Telephone Laboratories: Niobium Superconducting Magnet
February 1962 Radio-Electronics

February 1962 Radio-Electronics

February 1962 Radio-Electronics Cover - RF Cafe[Table of Contents]

Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Radio-Electronics, published 1930-1988. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.

In researching the use of niobium's use in superconducting magnets, as reported in this 1962 issue of Radio-Electronics magazine, I learned that the element's original name was Columbium (symbol Cb). It was the name assigned by discoverer Charles Hatchett in 1801. The name niobium was chosen for element 41 at the 15th Conference of the Union of Chemistry in Amsterdam in 1949. Why "niobium," you might wonder? Its root is in Greek mythology, and concerns the family of Tantalus (after whom the element tantalum is named). Niobium is today used, amongst many other things, in the making of superconducting magnets, including those in MRI machines. As is often the case in photos of personnel in work environments prior to the creation of OSHA in 1971, there is a glaring lack of safety equipment and precautions here in this Bell Telephone Laboratories image of the scientists handling their superconducting brew. No safety glasses, no gloves, neckties outside a protective lab coat (also missing), and probably wearing slick-bottomed shoes that have no traction if a liquid is slopped onto the floor. The guys seem to be somewhat precariously perched next to and over the crucible containing what is likely liquid nitrogen for cooling the magnet. I'm sure you could spot other violations if you inspect a little more. It's a wonder anyone survived before OSHA [sarcasm].

Bell Telephone Laboratories Ad

Bell Telephone Laboratories: Niobium Supermagnet, February 1962 Radio-Electronics - RF CafeThe Making of a Magnet

Bell scientists test new superconducting electromagnet, the small cylindrical object being removed from helium bath at minus 450 degrees F. An early experimental design produced a field strength over 65,000 gauss.

Out of Solid State Science Comes a Powerful New Magnet

Bell Telephone Laboratories' creation of a powerful superconducting electromagnet once again illustrates the role of materials research in the advancement of communications.

It has long been known that certain materials called superconductors have a zero electrical resistance at temperatures near absolute zero. A solenoid of superconductive wire carrying a large current should be capable of producing an extremely powerful magnetic field without the bulky power equipment that is needed for conventional electromagnets.

A formidable obstacle blocked the way, however. The strong magnetic field tended to destroy the wire's superconductivity.

Bell Laboratories scientists studying superconductors - as part of their endless search for new materials for communications - were led to the discovery of a number of alloys and compounds having exceptional superconductive properties. One of these materials, a compound of niobium and tin, was found to possess a startling ability to retain its superconductivity in intense magnetic fields of over 100,000 gauss. Bell scientists went on to show how the brittle, intractable material could be made into a wire and hence wound to make an extremely powerful electromagnet.

By finding a low-cost way to create enormously powerful magnetic fields, Bell scientists have brought closer new applications of magnetism in communications. Intense magnetic fields provide an invaluable tool in research, and offer an attractive means for containing hot plasma in thermonuclear experiments.

The new magnet is another example of how Bell Laboratories research not only works to improve Bell System communications but also benefits science on a broad front.

Bell Telephone Laboratories

World center of communications research and development

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