Repetitive plasma opening switch in the magnetic field

Abstract

The report represents the results of experimental research into the plasma opening switch (POS) in an applied longitudinal magnetic field. Applying magnetic field on an area of the POS reduced the electron component of the current through the POS on a stage of sharp increase of the resistance. The POS which has been chosen for the experiments is one of the versions which the authors used in the repetitive pulsed power X-ray generator RS-20. The parameters of the the electron accelerator are as follows: electron energy 2.5 MeV; electron beam current 10-20 kA; pulse width 100 ns; and average power 10-20 kW. The scheme of the electron diode which is represented allowed X-ray flow focusing.