Superconducting magnet apparatus and method of operating same

A superconducting magnet apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of superconducting magnet coil sections connected in series and housed within a cryogenically cooled, vacuum container;
• a power source configured to generate a current;
• a first lead electrically connected to the plurality of superconducting magnet coil sections;
• a second lead enclosed entirely within the vacuum container, the second lead having a first section and a second section, the first section is electrically connected to the power source, the second section is electrically connected to the first lead, the second section is rigidly connected to a linear displacement device enclosed entirely within the vacuum container;
• wherein the linear displacement device is configured to linearly displace the second section relative to the first section, so that the first section contacts the second section thereby electrically connecting the first section and the second section, or by creating a gap between the first section and the second section thereby electrically disconnecting the first section from the second section;
• and
• wherein the second section is rigidly connected to the linear displacement device by an electrically insulating rigid member having thermal resistance.