Electron Loss in Microsecond Megaampere Plasma Opening Switches

This paper discusses the efficiency of energy transfer from an inductive energy store to a short-circuit load with a microsecond megaampere plasma opening switch (POS). A very simple electrotechnical technique for estimation of electron current loss is proposed, and its operability is proven. The applicability of the technique for analysis of experimental data is considered. The low rate of rise of the POS resistance along with considerable current loss causes weak pulse sharpening with a time shift of the current pulse and a decrease in its magnitude.