Continuously Wound Solenoid Coil with Final Correction for Generating a Homogeneous Magnetic Field in the Interior of the Coil and Associated Optimization Method

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This invention describes a new type of solenoid coil and an associated optimization method to generate a highly homogeneous magnetic field within the coil, especially suited for applications like MRI and particle accelerators. Instead of using separate correction coils to fix field inhomogeneities caused by the finite length of the solenoid, it proposes winding the main coil continuously with a varying turn diameter (the diameter changes along the coil axis) to inherently minimize these inhomogeneities. The method uses advanced numerical optimization and simulation to define the exact form of the coil for best field uniformity.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, for producing highly uniform magnetic fields around the sample or patient.
• Particle accelerators or nuclear physics equipment, where precise magnetic fields are essential for manipulating or studying particles or targets.
• Other scientific instrumentation requiring highly homogeneous magnetic fields over a defined sample volume.
• Industrial applications where precise magnetic field environments are needed, such as calibration setups or sensor testing.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Much higher homogeneity of the magnetic field over a larger portion of the sample space compared to traditional solenoid designs.
• Reduced need for separate correction coils and complex wiring, leading to simpler, more compact, and robust designs.
• Easier and more tolerant manufacturing thanks to distributed correction, meaning the coil is less sensitive to small placement errors in winding.
• Flexibility for coil form—can be tailored for specific needs and constraints using the provided optimization methods (including design for open access or special geometries).
• Fewer electrical connections needed, which is advantageous in constrained environments like cryostats.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for generating a homogeneous magnetic field and to an optimization method for magnetic fields in a sample space, which method provides specifications for producing such an apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least one field coil for generating the magnetic field and is characterized in that the turns of the field coil are continuously wound around the sample space and the turn diameter of the field coil continuously changes at least in a subarea of the field coil along the longitudinal axis of the sample space. In this case, the correction of inhomogeneities in the magnetic field which are caused by the finite length of the field coil is distributed over the entire field coil. The apparatus can thus be implemented in a simpler and more precise manner than with the correction coils used to correct inhomogeneities according to the prior art. Instead of the previous series expansion of the magnetic field, the method for optimizing the magnetic field uses a quality function in conjunction with a simulation of the magnetic field on the basis of the optimization parameters. This can be used in a larger volume than the series expansion.