Design of the superconducting end caps of a tubular magnetic shield.

Shielding a sensitive device against DC or AC stray magnetic fields can be realized very efficiently with high-Tc superconductors. A simple magnetic shield can be obtained with a tube enclosing the device, which is protected against external fields until the magnetic flux diffuses either across the tube wall or through the end openings. A better shielding vessel is obtained by using superconducting end caps. In the simplest design, the end caps, consisting of superconducting disks placed at the extremities of the tube, are making a 90 degree angle with the tube wall. Because of demagnetization effects, this arrangement results in a 'weak spot' for the penetrating magnetic flux. In this work, we investigate numerically different shapes for the end caps so as to avoid sharp angles and obtain a smoother magnetic flux penetration. The external magnetic induction is applied parallel to the shield axis. The magnetic flux distribution and the shielding currents are calculated with a finite element approach. The shielded volume is defined as the region where the local magnetic flux density is attenuated below a given fraction of the external field. It is studied as a function of the shape of the cap, its superconducting properties, the aspect ratio of the assembly, and the presence of a cabling hole. Curved and elongated caps, which could in principle be obtained by melt cast processing or different coating techniques, are shown to substantially increase the shielded volume.