Optimization of SMES and superconducting magnets with a derivative free deterministic method

This article presents a constrained optimization method, based on the duality theory, which does not need the gradients. The method is used to optimize superconducting devices. In order to reduce the computing effort, the initial optimization problem is divided into two coupled optimization problems. One manages the geometrical parameters, the other finds the best current densities for a given geometrical configuration. © 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of IMACS.