A plasma source for a microsecond plasma opening switch

The results of the studies of surface plasma sources with an (PhiP-7 optica l photochronograph and a double electric probe are presented. The designs o f radial and axial plasma generators are described. It is shown that a radi al SPS does not ensure satisfactory reproducibility of the plasma now param eters from pulse to pulse, which influences the operation stability of plas ma opening switches. Based on data obtained experimentally, a modernized ax ial plasma generator was constructed. Studies of plasma flows with a double electric probe have shown that, at equal energy contributions to the plasm a generator, the probe's current density increases by a factor of four. The use of an axial surface plasma source on the SIGNAL (high-current pulse ge nerator for laser pumping) installation with a plasma opening switch result ed in the front sharpening of the load current pulse (similar to 200-220 kA ) from 60 ns obtained in earlier experiments to 30 ns for the same current amplitude.