Plasma erosion switches with imploding plasma loads on a multiterawatt pulsed power generator

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.329751· OSTI ID:6389215

Stringfield, R; Schneider, R; Genuario, R D; Roth, I; Childers, K; Stallings, C; Dakin, D

Plasma erosion switches have been fielded on the PITHON generator during imploding plasma experiments. Theta pinch plasma guns were used to inject carbon plasmas of densities in the range of 10/sup 12/--10/sup 14/ cm/sup 3/ between the electrodes of the vacuum power feed region, upstream from an imploding plasma load. Current monitors indicated that the erosion switches carried substantial current early in time, diverting it from the load. Late in the pulse the erosion switches opened, transferring the current to an imploding plasma with the effect of sharpening the current rise time at the load. Associated withthe sharper rise time was an improvement in the quality of the plasma implosions. The results of varying the density and total number of particles in the plasma of the switches are presented with regard to the effect on the current along the vacuum feed and on the behavior of vacuum flowing electrons.

• Research Organization: Physics International Company, 2700 Merced Street, San Leandro, California 94577
• OSTI ID: 6389215
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 52:3; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700100* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research
CARBON
CURRENTS
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
EROSION
IMPLOSIONS
NONMETALS
PINCH EFFECT
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA GUNS
POWER GENERATION
PULSE RISE TIME
PULSES
SWITCHES
THETA PINCH
TIMING PROPERTIES