Increase of Plasma Opening Switch conduction phase duration

Abstract

A creation of the Plasma Opening Switch with a conduction time up to tens of microseconds has a significant importance for the BAIKAL research program which plans using a high current generator with long duration prepulse. To increase the conduction phase various scenarios of POS gap filling with plasma are planned. This includes in series connection of plasma guns. The results of experiments aimed to increasing the charge coming through the POS during the conduction phase are reported at 200 kV Marx generator voltage, 120 kA drive current. And 1 µs current rise time. The prepulse was created by a specially designed pulse forming system.