Plasma opening switch development for the Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator II (PBFA II)
The authors conducted plasma opening switch (POS) experiments on Sandia National Laboratories' new Particle Beam Fusin Accelerator II (PBFA II) (12 MV, 100 TW, 50 ns), on the Supermite accelerator (2 MV, 2 TW, 50 ns) and on the Naval Research Laboratory's Gamble II accelerator (1.8 MV, 1.6 TW, 70 ns). The POS systems on the PBFA II and Supermite accelerators use a newly developed flashboard plasma source to provide the plasma necessary to conduct the large (> 1 MA) currents produced byu these accelerators. In the Supermite experiments, the plasma opening switch conducted currents up to 1 MA before opening in less than 10 ns into an electron beam load. These experiments achieved significant voltage gain relative to the voltage across a matched load. In experiments on Gamble II, power gains of up to 1.7 were achieved using a POS in a strongly coaxial geometry (r/sub outer//r/sub inner/ = 2) with a large magnetic field at the cathode. The POS system on PBFA II is unique because of its size and voltage. This POS system is designed to conduct over 6 MA before opening. In present experiments it has conducted currents of 4-5 MA for over 50 ns.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM 87185
- OSTI ID:
- 5645887
- Journal Information:
- IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States) Vol. PS-15:5; ISSN ITPSB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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430100* -- Particle Accelerators-- Design
Development
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700208 -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
ACCELERATORS
AMPLIFICATION
BEAMS
DESIGN
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRON BEAM FUSION ACCELERATOR
ELECTRON BEAMS
EQUIPMENT
GAIN
LEPTON BEAMS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
OPERATION
PARTICLE BEAM FUSION ACCELERATOR
PARTICLE BEAMS
PLASMA
PLASMA SWITCHES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SWITCHES