Characteristic Timescales for the Operation of HTS CICCs in Compact Fusion Reactors

In this work we address the shift from Low Temperature Superconductor (LTS) to High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) magnets presently occurring in the development of machines for controlled thermonuclear fusion with magnetic confinement. This shift implies several new challenges, which cannot be ignored in the design and modelling of the future HTS magnets. In this work, we identify the modelling needs driven by the adoption of HTS cables and coils technology for fusion machines. In particular, the characteristic times characterizing the development of the main physical phenomena occurring in HTS tapes, stacks and conductors are derived. These characteristics times in turn have a significant impact on the requirements of strong or weak coupling between different physics in the modelling of HTS magnets.