Pushing Magnetic Limits: 45.22 Tesla Achieved in Steady-State Magnetic Fields

In the world of scientific magnetism, breaking records isn’t just about raw numbers—it’s about opening doors to new realms of physics, materials science, and quantum research. In 2022, researchers at a Chinese facility achieved what was previously thought impossible: a continuous magnetic field strength of 45.22 Tesla, setting a new global benchmark.

🔬 What Is a Steady-State Magnetic Field?

Unlike pulsed magnetic fields, which exist for mere milliseconds and can exceed 1,000 Tesla before destroying the coil, a steady-state field is sustained over time. This makes it ideal for research where experimental stability and repeatability are essential—such as in solid-state physics or high-resolution spectroscopy.

🌏 Where Was the Record Set?

• Location: Steady High Magnetic Field Facility (SHMFF), Hefei, China
• Year: 2022
• Peak Field: 45.22 Tesla, sustained
• Technology: Hybrid magnet, combining a resistive Bitter magnet with a superconducting inner coil

This advanced design allows researchers to merge the high-intensity capabilities of resistive magnets with the efficiency and zero-resistance current flow of superconductors.

🇺🇸 Previous Milestone: 45 Tesla at MagLab, USA

Before China’s breakthrough, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab) in Florida, USA, held the record with a 45 Tesla steady-state magnet, a result of decades of innovation. That hybrid system remains a reference point in magnet technology today.

⚖️ How Strong Is 45 Tesla?

Let’s put this number into perspective:

That’s over 30 times stronger than an MRI and nearly 1 million times stronger than Earth’s magnetic field.

🧪 Applications of Extreme Magnetic Fields

Such powerful magnetic fields aren’t just for show. They enable:

• Advanced quantum research
• Discovery of exotic superconducting states
• High-resolution NMR & EPR spectroscopy
• Testing of magnetic materials under stress
• Fundamental physics in high magnetic flux

Institutes like SHMFF and MagLab offer global access to their facilities, supporting thousands of researchers annually.

⚙️ Engineering Challenges Behind the Record

Maintaining a field of this magnitude continuously presents huge hurdles:

• Cooling systems operating near absolute zero
• Power consumption in the megawatt range
• Mechanical stress on coil materials
• Advanced materials to withstand the Lorentz forces

The successful integration of these elements is a triumph of both physics and engineering.

🧲 Conclusion

The 45.22 Tesla milestone at SHMFF isn’t just a number—it’s a signpost for the future of science and magnet technology. As researchers push past previous limits, we get closer to revolutionary applications in energy, computing, and even medical technology.

And while our neodymium magnets at yourmagnets.net aren’t quite 45 Tesla, they’re engineered with the same precision and magnetic science that drives these world records—just in a more compact form.