Superconducting magnet system for generating uniform magnetic fields.

Abstract

A magnet system is provided for generating a uniform magnetic field in a target region useful in the field of magnetic resonance (NMR), particularly NMR spectroscopy. The magnet system includes a first magnet having a first solenoid formed from a superconducting material and a set of one or more pairs of compensation coils, each pair being coaxially disposed with the first solenoid and symmetrically disposed with an axial offset about a geometric center point to define an annular volume in a bore between the set of compensation coils. The first pair of compensation coils of the set are electrically connected in series with the first solenoid. A shim system is disposed within the annular volume and includes one or more superconducting shim coils. The magnetic field in the target region has a uniformity of less than 10 parts per million, and the target region is a spherical volume with a diameter of 1 cm centered on a center point.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnet system for generating a highly homogeneous magnetic field, and is therefore useful in the field of magnetic resonance (NMR), particularly NMR spectroscopy. [Background technology]

[0002] In various NMR modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, it is desirable to obtain a highly uniform magnetic field, especially in NMR spectroscopy. In NMR spectroscopy, chemical information such as the molecular structure of a sample can be measured. The NMR measurement process induces a high-intensity, uniform magnetic field within a working volume that includes a target region. The sample is placed in the target region and is exposed to RF irradiation, which causes the spins of certain atomic nuclei to precess. When the RF irradiation is removed, the spins return to a stationary state, and their precession frequency can be monitored to give an indication of structural information, etc. A highly uniform magnetic field is required within the target region to obtain accurate measurements of chemical structure. Uniformity within a target region is typically measured by considering the change in the z-component (which is the main magnetic field direction) of the magnetic field within a spherical target region relative to the magnetic field at the center of that region. A magnetic field with less than 10 ppm uniformity within a target region is one in which the Bz-component changes by less than 10 ppm at any location within the target region (i.e., the difference between the maximum magnetic field within the target region and the minimum magnetic field within the target region is less than 10 ppm of the magnetic field value at the origin of the region). Uniformity can be specified as a positive or negative value, but it is the absolute value that is relevant.

[0003] The magnet system of an NMR instrument typically comprises a superconducting magnet that is kept at cryogenic temperatures (below 100 Kelvin) during use. The superconducting magnet is typically formed as a solenoid that defines a bore with a central axis in which a target region for positioning a sample is located. An infinitely long solenoid would generate a perfectly uniform magnetic field in the target region, but since such a solenoid cannot be practically manufactured, a compensation coil may be wound on the central axis to correct for end effects from the solenoid to improve the magnetic field uniformity in the target region. The compensation coil (sometimes referred to in the art as a "Garrett coil") is wired in series with the magnet and may take the form of a solenoid or a pancake coil. The compensation coil is positioned to correct for magnetic field inhomogeneities due to the design of the magnet, including end effects from the solenoid. Shim coils, which are active shims, typically allow a lower level of magnetic field correction and can be activated to correct inhomogeneities due to the actual structure of the NMR instrument or background effects.

[0004] Typically, room temperature (RT) shims and / or passive shims have been used in a removable configuration in an externally accessible bore. Superconducting shims are suitable for generating stronger magnetic fields because they can carry much higher currents than RT shims. Conventionally, however, superconducting shims are mounted outside the superconducting magnet, because the area inside the superconducting magnet is reserved for other components, such as a second superconducting magnet or RT components, that contribute to the magnetic field strength and uniformity in the target region. Also, an empty working volume needs to be reserved in the magnet's bore for the transfer of samples to and from the target region. However, shimming solutions provided outside the main magnet have a relatively limited effect on the magnetic field in the target region, because the effect of spatial variations in current density on the magnetic field uniformity scales strongly with distance.

[0005] The inner compensation coils are typically located outside the superconducting magnet. However, the Oxford Instruments 4.2K 800 / 63 magnet is an exception. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing half a cross section through a cylindrical coil set from this prior art magnet assembly. The cross section is along a central axis 20' that runs along the bore of the magnet. The assembly is shown only on one side of the central axis 20' for clarity, but it should be understood that the coils are symmetrically located on the other side of the central axis 20'. The assembly has a superconducting magnet 10' with a first solenoid 2', a second solenoid 4' and a third solenoid 5' each formed from niobium tin (Nb3Sn), the first solenoid 2' being the innermost solenoid and the second solenoid 4' being located between the first solenoid 2' and the third solenoid 5'. Magnet 10' further comprises a fourth solenoid 6', a fifth solenoid 7' and a sixth solenoid 8', each formed from niobium titanium (NbTi). Each solenoid 2'-8' of magnet 10' is wound coaxially around a central axis 20'. Nb3Sn is generally more expensive than NbTi, but maintains superconductivity up to a flux density of 30 T, whereas NbTi has a limit of approximately 15 T. Thus, Nb3Sn sections are typically located radially closer to the bore of the magnet for higher fields, while NbTi is used away from the center where it can maintain superconductivity. The 800 / 63 magnet is relatively unusual in that it has compensation coils located within the superconducting magnet. In particular, an annular former 3', occupying a similar axial space as the solenoids, is located between the first solenoid 2' and the second solenoid 4' and supports two pairs of compensation coils electrically connected in series to magnet 10'. A first pair of compensation coils is formed from a first coil 3a' and a second coil 3b', and a second pair of compensation coils is formed from a third coil 3c' and a fourth coil 3d'. The compensation coils 3a'-3d' are wound coaxially around a central axis 20' and are axially offset and symmetrically positioned along the central axis 20' with respect to a geometric center point designated "X". The coils forming the first pair 3a', 3b' are axially displaced from the center point by a larger amount than the coils forming the second pair 3c', 3d'.

[0006] It would be desirable to provide new arrangements for obtaining a highly homogeneous magnetic field in a target area, in particular arrangements that may lead to a reduction in the size and / or power consumption of the assembly. The present invention aims to solve these problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a magnet system for generating a uniform magnetic field in a target area, the magnet system comprising: a first magnet having a first solenoid formed from a wound superconducting material to define a bore and a central axis, the geometric center of the first solenoid defining a center point on the central axis; a set of one or more pairs of compensation coils, each pair of compensation coils being coaxially disposed on a central axis and symmetrically disposed with an axial offset about a geometric center point to define an annular volume within the bore between the sets of compensation coils, a first pair of compensation coils of the set being electrically connected in series with the first solenoid; a shim system disposed within the annular volume, the shim system comprising one or more superconducting shim coils, the shim system operable in use to shim a magnetic field within the target region; and Equipped with The shim system is arranged so that, in use, the magnetic field in the target area has a uniformity of less than 10 parts per million (ppm), the target area being a spherical volume with a diameter of 1 cm centred on a central point.

[0008] The magnet system uses a combination of compensation coils and a shim system located inside the first magnet to achieve a high level of magnetic field homogeneity in the target area. The shim system is located in the central annular region (both axially and radially) of the magnet that would traditionally be occupied by a solenoid or compensation coil. Because the one or more superconducting shim coils are located closer to the central axis than is typical in prior art systems, the magnetic field generated by the shim system is stronger in the target area. Thus, stronger adjustable shimming solutions can be applied to correct for non-uniformities in the target area. Additionally, the shim coils can be provided around the outside of the first magnet. However, the inclusion of a centrally located shim system facilitates a reduction in the overall size and power consumption of the assembly, since large shim coils that might otherwise be located around the outside of the first magnet can be omitted. This is particularly relevant for magnet systems that generate a magnetic field in a target area of ​​1 cm dsv with a homogeneity of less than 10 ppm.

[0009] With reference to the prior art system illustrated by Figure 1, the applicant has realized that the effect of the third and fourth compensation coils 3c', 3d' in homogenizing the magnetic field in the target area can be reproduced by many different possible adjustments to the magnet system that can be made elsewhere. Furthermore, these compensation coils occupy valuable axial space that could be provided with a superconducting shim system to better improve the homogeneity in the target area.

[0010] Returning to the first aspect of the invention, the first pair of compensation coils in the set is electrically connected in series with the first solenoid. Thus, the first pair is provided to correct magnetic field inhomogeneities in the target area resulting from the design of the first magnet. The first pair of compensation coils is typically located at a smaller radial position from the central axis than the first solenoid. The first solenoid and the first pair of compensation coils are preferably made of low temperature superconducting material, further niobium tin. Niobium tin is particularly preferred as it can maintain a superconducting state even at high magnetic flux densities. Thus, the compensation coils can be used in high magnetic field areas of the magnet system.

[0011] The magnet system preferably further comprises a second magnet having one or more solenoids formed from a superconducting material and arranged coaxially with the first magnet, the solenoids of the first and second magnets being arranged to have a common geometric center point on the central axis, and the second magnet being arranged in the bore such that an annular volume is positioned between the first and second magnets. Thus, a shim system can be arranged radially between the first and second magnets. The provision of a second magnet system allows for the selection of different materials or currents to adjust the magnetic field strength and / or uniformity in the target area.

[0012] The second pair of compensation coils of the set of one or more pairs of compensation coils is typically electrically connected in series with the second magnet. This second pair of compensation coils can therefore compensate for non-uniformities resulting from the design of the second magnet. Also, the second pair of compensation coils is preferably arranged at a radial position greater than that of the second magnet. Typically, however, the second pair of compensation coils is arranged at a radial position less than that of the first pair of compensation coils. For example, each of the compensation coils of the second pair of compensation coils can be arranged along a plane perpendicular to the central axis and extending through the second magnet and the corresponding compensation coil from the first pair of compensation coils, with the second pair of compensation coils being arranged between the second magnet and the corresponding coil from the first pair of compensation coils. However, more typically, one of the first and second pairs of compensation coils is preferably radially adjacent to the other of the first and second pairs of compensation coils so as to define opposite axial ends of the annular volume. This arrangement provides a desirable level of high magnetic field uniformity in the target region.

[0013] The magnet system is particularly suitable for magnets using a combination of high temperature superconductor (HTS) and low temperature superconductor (LTS) materials. The second pair of compensation coils and / or the second magnet are preferably formed from HTS materials such as bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide (BSCCO, e.g. BSCCO 2212 or BSCCO 2223) or rare earth barium copper oxide REBCO. The incorporation of HTS materials in the second magnet allows for the generation of higher magnetic fields in the target area, as HTS materials have higher critical magnetic fields compared to LTS materials. This is because HTS materials are required with current technology to provide a usable magnet system capable of generating field strengths of, for example, about 23.5 T or more. However, this is an order of magnitude more expensive than LTS materials, so magnet systems are typically of the hybrid type, with the first 15 T to 20 T being provided by LTS windings. The term "HTS material" is intended to mean a superconducting material that exhibits nominally usable superconducting properties above 30 T and even 40 T (and typically at temperatures above about 4.2 Kelvin, e.g., 8 Kelvin, 20 Kelvin, 77 Kelvin, 90 Kelvin, etc.). The term "LTS material" is intended to mean a superconducting material that exhibits nominally usable superconducting properties above an engineering critical current density of 100 Amperes per square millimeter (A / mm 2 ) refers to superconducting materials with a maximum magnetic field strength of up to about 22 T at 4.2 Kelvin. This includes materials such as NbTi and Nb3Sn. LTS materials can be operated below 4.2 Kelvin for some improved performance; however, this only raises the maximum field strength limit by about 2 to 2.5 T. The engineering critical current density of Nb3Sn drops off sharply above magnetic field strengths of about 20 T, making the material less efficient above 20 T and virtually unusable above about 23.5 T at 4.2 K.

[0014] Although HTS materials maintain superconductivity at higher temperatures than LTS materials, it is usually most convenient to maintain the first and second magnets at a common operating temperature. Thus, the first and second magnets are preferably housed in the same cryogenic vessel, such as a Dewar, configured to cool the first and second magnets to a common temperature during use. Typically, the cryogenic vessel is filled with liquid helium, which cools the first and second magnets to about 4 Kelvin during use. However, alternatively, a cryogen-free refrigerator, such as a pulse tube refrigerator, can be used to cool the first and / or second magnets.

[0015] Preferably, the first magnet comprises a plurality of solenoids formed from a superconducting material wound around the central axis and outside the bore, each of the solenoids being located at a respective radial position. Each of the solenoids of the first magnet is preferably formed from an LTS material. The outermost solenoid of the first magnet is preferably formed from niobium titanium. Niobium titanium is desirable in the low field regions of the magnet system radially away from the central axis, as it is less brittle and much less expensive than niobium tin and HTS materials.

[0016] Each compensation coil of the second pair of compensation coils is preferably constructed as a pancake coil. Pancake coils are known in the art and are configured such that a conductor is wound spirally around an origin, outward, along a common plane. In this case, the origin is positioned along the central axis of the magnet system, and the plane is perpendicular to the central axis. Two pancake coils can be stacked axially of the magnet to form a "double pancake". This is seen when a coil is wound with a conductor that spirals from the outside of a first pancake coil to the innermost position of a second pancake coil, from which the conductor is wound radially outward, with the second pancake being positioned coaxially with the first pancake. If further pancake coils are wound on the same stack, each coil is connected to the adjacent coil in the same manner, either at the radially innermost position or the radially outermost position, depending on where the end of the spiral is with respect to the pancake coil it follows. It has been found that arranging each of the compensation coils of the second pair of compensation coils as one or more pancake coils (e.g., forming a pancake stack) provides a method of manufacturing a compensation solenoid using, for example, a superconducting tape conductor with a layer-wound solenoid. This is particularly relevant to an arrangement having a second magnet disposed within the bore such that the annular volume is positioned between the first and second magnets, the second magnet being formed from a layer-wound HTS material, and the second pair of compensation coils also being formed from an HTS material.

[0017] The shim system is preferably connected to a different electrical circuit than the set or sets of solenoids and the pair of compensation coils. More preferably, the shim system is made of an LTS material, preferably niobium tin. The shim system may also be centered on a plane that extends through the center point in a direction perpendicular to the central axis. Typically, the first magnet, the set or sets of compensation coils, and the shim system (and the second magnet, if provided) are arranged such that the plane forms a plane of symmetry. This arrangement produces a highly uniform magnetic field in the target area.

[0018] It is particularly desirable to ensure that there are no electrical circuits or support members extending through the annular volume, for example between each pair of compensation coils. For example, if the compensation coils are made of a fragile material such as Nb3Sn or HTS, any electrical circuits extending between the compensation coils in the annular region without adequate support may be damaged or degraded. Also, the presence of any such cables or support members in the annular volume may impair the function of the shim system located in the annular volume. The magnet system is typically arranged such that each of the compensation coils has an axially inner end forming an end of the annular volume and an axially outer end opposite the axially inner end. Each of the compensation coils is preferably mounted to a support member provided at the axially outer end of the compensation coil inside the first magnet. This end mounting of the compensation coils eliminates the need for cables or supports to be routed within the annular region. Also, the magnet system is preferably arranged such that current flows into and out of each of the compensation coils from the axially outer end of the compensation coil. Therefore, for each pair of compensation coils, it is preferred that the first compensation coil of the pair is not electrically connected or physically attached to the second compensation coil of the pair within the annular volume.

[0019] The magnet system described herein is particularly suitable for high magnetic fields, and is arranged to generate a magnetic field in the target area, preferably greater than 20 Tesla, more preferably greater than 25 Tesla. Since MRI systems typically use larger samples, it is generally more appropriate to achieve uniformity over a larger target area in these systems. As a result, having extremely high uniformity over a target area of ​​1 cm dsv is generally not relevant for MRI systems. The magnet system is therefore particularly suitable for use in NMR spectroscopy, providing a uniformity in the target area of ​​preferably 5 ppm or less, more preferably 1 ppm or less. Thus, a second aspect of the invention is an NMR spectrometer comprising a magnet system according to the first aspect. The NMR spectrometer may further comprise a cryogenic cooling system configured to cool the magnet system to less than 100 Kelvin, preferably less than 10 Kelvin during operation of the NMR spectrometer. The magnet system is also suitable for use in other applications, such as Fourier Transform Mass Spectroscopy, FTMS (also called Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance, FT-ICR).

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a prior art magnet system; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a magnet system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an end-mounted compensation coil forming part of the first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a magnet system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing half a cross section through a magnet system according to a first embodiment. The cross section is along a central axis 20, and while only one side of the system is shown in FIG. 2 for clarity, it should be understood that the illustrated devices are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the central axis 20. The magnet 10 comprises a first solenoid 1 and a second solenoid 2, each formed from Nb3Sn. The magnet 10 further comprises a third solenoid 3 and a fourth solenoid 4, each formed from NbTi. Each solenoid of the magnet 10 is wound coaxially around the central axis 20. The first solenoid 1 is the innermost solenoid of the assembly located closest to the central axis 20, and each of the remaining solenoids is located at a respective radial position from the central axis 20. The second solenoid 2 is located between the first solenoid 1 and the third solenoid 3, which is located between the second solenoid 2 and the fourth solenoid 4. The central axis 20 defines a bore of the magnet system, within which, in use, a sample can be moved, located at a central point "X" which defines the geometric centre of the magnet 10. There is a target region in the form of a spherical volume of 1 cm diameter centred on the central point, within which the system is configured to generate a magnetic field (Bz) oriented along the central axis 20 that varies within the region by less than ten parts per million of the Bz field value at the central point. The solenoids 1-4 are arranged symmetrically about the central axis 20, centred on the central point, with the third and fourth solenoids 3, 4 having a greater axial length than the first and second solenoids 1, 2.

[0023] A pair of Nb3Sn compensation coils 5,6 are positioned coaxially with the central axis 20 and electrically connected in series to the first, second, third and fourth solenoids 1-4. The pair of compensation coils 5,6 are symmetrically positioned with an axial offset about the central point to define an annular volume at a radial location smaller than the first solenoid 1. The compensation coils 5,6 are particularly effective at canceling magnetic field inhomogeneities, due in part to their relatively central radial location, as compared to some prior art compensation coils positioned to surround the outside of the superconducting magnet. The annular volume extends between the opposing axially inner ends of the first and second compensation coils 5,6. A superconducting shim coil assembly 15 (also referred to herein as a "shim system") comprising one or more shim coils is positioned within the annular volume for shimming the magnetic field of the target region, the shim coils being particularly positioned proximate to the geometric center "X".

[0024] Further in contrast to the prior art magnet system described above with reference to FIG. 1, the first and second compensation coils 5, 6 are not supported by formers extending axially between the compensation coils 5, 6. It is particularly desirable that the annular volume between the pair of compensation coils 5, 6 is free of any such support for the pair of compensation coils 5, 6 or electrical circuitry connecting the compensation coils 5, 6, since such wiring would need to be made from the same superconducting material as the compensation coils. The fragility of Nb3Sn in the reacted state places a significant limit on the electromagnetic stresses that can be managed without excessively straining the Nb3Sn wire. If such wiring were to extend between the two compensation coils 5, 6, it could lead to locally poorly supported stresses and any joints would be weak in manufacture and prone to degradation. These problems are exacerbated at the high field axial location occupied by the annular volume. It is therefore particularly desirable that each of the compensation coils 5, 6 be end mounted from their outer axial ends. An example of such end mounting is shown by FIG. 3 for the first compensation coil 5, where certain features from FIG. 2 have been omitted for clarity. The axially outer end of the first compensation coil 5 is coupled to a support 7 extending axially outward of the first solenoid 1 to support the first compensation coil 5 from one axial end of the magnet system. A similar structure, not shown, is provided to support the other compensation coil 6 from the opposite axial end. Typically, the coils 5 and 6 are electrically connected as a unit in a protection circuit (by connections located outside the first magnet 10) to avoid problems such as axial forces that arise with asymmetric protection in case of a quench. The coil support structure may be bolted to the end plates separately and / or together with the bar or central flange. Such additional structure would require some space in the central region, but would be less than the space required to support the fragile cables that would otherwise extend across this central region.

[0025] Electrical wiring 8 made of Nb3Sn is connected to a joint formed at the axially outer end of the first compensation coil 5 to pass current in and out of the first compensation coil 5. Each compensation coil 5, 6 is thus constructed as a separate block mounted axially from each end of the magnet. The coils are wound as solenoids and are terminated and jointed separately for each compensation coil 5, 6. By avoiding direct wiring between the two compensation coils 5, 6, unsupported lead extensions are avoided and more space is available for the superconducting shim assembly 15. This allows better compensation of any magnetic field inhomogeneities in the target area. The compensation coils 5, 6 typically still remain electrically connected to each other, although not by cables extending through the annular volume.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing half a cross section through a magnet system according to a second embodiment, constituting part of a high-field NMR spectrometer. Although not shown, the entire arrangement shown by FIG. 4 is housed in a cryogenic vessel cooled to about 4 Kelvin by liquid helium. Other features, such as additional shim coils further contributing to the field homogeneity or additional shim coils for normal operation of the spectrometer, are not shown but may be provided. A first magnet 110 is provided having the same configuration as the first magnet 10 of the first embodiment. A second magnet 111 is additionally provided, which comprises an inner solenoid 107 formed from an HTS material, in this case BSCCO2212. The second magnet 111 may optionally comprise two or more HTS solenoids, typically wound along a smaller axial length than the remaining magnets (in this case). The solenoids 101-104 of the first magnet 110 are connected to a first electrical circuit, and the inner solenoid 107 forming the second magnet 111 is connected to a second electrical circuit, such that the current can be adjusted independently for each magnet 110, 111.

[0027] A shim system including a shim coil assembly 115 is radially disposed between the first solenoid 101 of the first magnet 110 and the inner solenoid 107 of the second magnet 111. In the second embodiment, the shim coil assembly 115 is formed from Nb3Sn, but could alternatively be formed from an HTS material. The shim system is centered along a plane perpendicular to a central axis 120 that extends through the geometric center point "X" of the assembly, which forms the symmetry plane of the assembly. The inner solenoid 107 is the innermost solenoid of the magnet assembly located closest to the central axis 120, with each remaining solenoid located at a respective radial position from the central axis 120 as described in connection with the first embodiment.

[0028] A set of two pairs of compensation coils 105, 106, 108, 109 are disposed on either axial side of the shim coil assembly 115. The first pair of compensation coils 105, 106 are formed from Nb3Sn and are electrically connected in series with the first magnet 101, as in the first embodiment. However, the second pair of compensation coils 108, 109 are formed from BSCCO2212 and are electrically connected in series with the second magnet 111. The first pair of compensation coils 105, 106 correct the magnetic field inhomogeneity resulting from the first magnet 110. In part, because HTS materials are expensive (and because longer lengths of material are available with layered windings, avoiding the need for joints constructed within the windings themselves), HTS solenoid coils tend to be relatively short and also operate at high current densities. Thus, if uncompensated, HTS solenoid coils generate relatively large inhomogeneities relative to their magnitude. The second set of compensation coils 108, 109 thus corrects for magnetic field inhomogeneities resulting from the second magnet 111. Each of the first and second pairs of compensation coils is end-mounted as described in relation to the first embodiment and can take the form of either one or more pancake coils or solenoid coils. Typically, each coil of the first pair of compensation coils 105, 106 is wound as a solenoid. However, it is preferred that each coil of the second pair of compensation coils 108, 109 is wound as one or more pancake coils, e.g., in a stack, particularly when the inner solenoid 107 is formed from a layer-wound HTS tape material (e.g., BSCCO 2223). In this way, the layer-wound solenoid design generates a large portion of the zero-order magnetic field in the target region while providing better control of the introduced inhomogeneities than would be the case for a solenoid consisting solely of a stack of pancake coils. The pancake coil as a compensation coil contributes much less to the zero-order central field than the layer-wound solenoid, but produces approximately the same amount of higher-order field terms (with opposite signs) to cancel higher-order inhomogeneities.

[0029] The incorporation of HTS materials in the second embodiment allows for the generation of high magnetic field strengths in the target area located at the central point. This is expected to result in magnetic field strengths in excess of 25 Tesla in the target area. Advantageously, particularly in embodiments using HTS materials, the use of an inner compensation coil in conjunction with a central shim system improves the magnetic field homogeneity in the target area. Furthermore, this is achieved without the need for a large shim assembly around the outside of the first magnet, thereby improving placement efficiency.

[0030] It should therefore be appreciated that the arrangement of the shim system relative to the magnet system proposed herein, and in particular the compensation coil and superconducting magnet, allows for the use of more powerful adjustable shimming solutions, which aid in the creation of a highly homogeneous magnetic field in the target region for generating high resolution and reliable NMR generated data. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 First solenoid 2 Second Solenoid 3. Third Solenoid 4 Fourth solenoid 5 First compensation coil 6 Second compensation coil 10. Magnets 15 Superconducting shim coil assembly 20 center axis

Claims

1. 1. A magnet system for generating a uniform magnetic field in a target region, comprising: a first magnet having a first solenoid formed from wound superconducting material to define a bore and a central axis, the geometric center of the first solenoid defining a geometric center point on the central axis; a set of one or more pairs of compensation coils, each pair of compensation coils wound coaxially about the central axis and symmetrically positioned with an axial offset about the geometric center point to define an annular volume within the bore between the sets of compensation coils, a first pair of compensation coils of the set being electrically connected in series with the first solenoid; a shim system disposed within the annular volume, the shim system comprising one or more superconducting shim coils, the shim system operable in use to shim a magnetic field within the target region, the shim system being connected to a different electrical circuit than the one or more paired sets of compensation coils; Equipped with A magnet system wherein the shim system is arranged such that, in use, the magnetic field in the target area has a uniformity of less than 10 ppm, the target area being a spherical volume having a diameter of 1 cm centred on the centre point.

2. 2. The magnet system according to claim 1, wherein the first pair of compensation coils is disposed at a radial position smaller than a radial position of the first solenoid.

3. 3. A magnet system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said first solenoid and said first pair of compensation coils are made from low temperature superconducting material.

4. a second magnet having one or more solenoids formed from a superconducting material and arranged coaxially with the first magnet such that the solenoids of the first magnet and the second magnet have a common geometric center point on the central axis; The magnet system of claim 1 , wherein said second magnet is disposed within said bore such that said annular volume is located between said first magnet and said second magnet.

5. 5. The magnet system according to claim 4, wherein a second pair of said compensation coils of said set is electrically connected in series with said second magnet.

6. 6. The magnet system according to claim 5, wherein the second pair of compensation coils is disposed at a radial position greater than a radial position of the second magnet.

7. 7. A magnet system according to claim 2 or 6, wherein one of the first and second pairs of compensation coils is radially adjacent to the other of the first and second pairs of compensation coils so as to define opposite axial ends of the annular volume.

8. A magnet system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second pair of compensation coils is made from high temperature superconducting material.

9. 9. The magnet system according to claim 8, wherein each of said compensation coils of said second pair of compensation coils is arranged as a pancake coil.

10. The magnet system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the second magnet is made of a high temperature superconducting material.

11. 7. The magnet system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said first magnet and said second magnet are contained within a cryogenic vessel configured to cool said first magnet and said second magnet to a common temperature in use.

12. 2. The magnet system of claim 1, wherein said first magnet comprises a plurality of solenoids formed from superconducting material wound around said central axis outside said bore, each of said solenoids disposed at a respective radial position.

13. The magnet system according to claim 12, wherein each of said solenoids of said first magnet is formed from a low temperature superconducting material.

14. 14. A magnet system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the outermost solenoid of the first magnet is made from niobium titanium.

15. The magnet system of claim 1 , wherein said shim system is made from a low temperature superconducting material.

16. 16. The magnet system of claim 1 or 15, wherein the shim system is centered on a plane extending through the center point in a direction perpendicular to the central axis.

17. 17. The magnet system according to claim 16, wherein said first magnet, said one or more sets of compensation coils and said shim system are arranged such that said plane forms a plane of symmetry.

18. 2. The magnet system according to claim 1, wherein each of said compensation coils has an axially inner end forming an end of said annular volume and an axially outer end opposite said axially inner end.

19. 20. The magnet system according to claim 18, wherein each of said compensation coils is mounted on a support member provided at the axially outer end of said compensation coil, inside said first magnet.

20. 20. A magnet system according to claim 18 or 19, wherein current flows into and out of each of said compensation coils from their axially outer ends.

21. 20. The magnet system according to claim 18 or 19, wherein for each said pair of compensation coils, a first compensation coil of the pair is not electrically connected or physically attached to a second compensation coil of the pair within the annular volume.

22. 2. A magnet system according to claim 1 arranged to generate a magnetic field in excess of 20 Tesla in the target region.

23. NMR spectrometer comprising a magnet system according to claim 1.

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