Cryogenic tests of electronic components and sensors for superconducting magnet instrumentation

In this paper, the characterization of electronic components and sensors at cryogenic temperatures is presented, focusing on amplifiers, passive elements, digital components, MEMS microphones, and piezoelectric sensors. This research aims to identify sensors and components suitable for the development of advanced instrumentation to monitor and diagnose quenches in future high-field superconducting magnets. The results of an experimental campaign to evaluate a series of devices at room temperature, at 77 K in liquid nitrogen, at 4.5 K in liquid helium and 1.9 K in superfluid helium show how the performance drops for some of the components such as the operational amplifier, that presented a reduced SNR at 1.9 K, while others keep working within specifications through several thermal cycles, such as commercial MEMS and piezoelectric microphones. The results of this research could help to improve the tests and, thus, the knowledge of the behavior of superconducting magnets in Various fields such as nuclear fusion, medical applications and particle accelerators.