Which mechanism limits the maximum achievable magnetic field in a superconducting electromagnet?

💡 Explanation

When the magnetic field exceeds a critical value, flux quantum nucleation occurs in the superconductor breaking Cooper pairs because of exceeding kinetic energy, leading to a sudden loss of superconductivity, known as a quench. Therefore flux quantum nucleation causes a quench, rather than orbital spin unpairing, thermal expansion or cryostat heat, which involve different physical mechanisms and lower field conditions.

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