POS driven plasma filled diode loads

Summary form only given. Experiments were conducted on plasma-filled inverse diode and plasma-filled ring diode configurations coupled to a plasma opening switch (POS). Because of the new diode geometries the data obtained can be used to help determine the opening mechanism for the plasma filled diode. Possible mechanisms are erosion or some type of snowplow action. Faraday cups were employed to monitor the plasma distribution in the diode anode-cathode gap. The timing between firing the capacitor bank. POS, and plasma-fill system has been scanned to give data about the effects of variations in plasma densities. Electrical diagnostics for switch and load current and voltage have been augmented bv X-ray measurements for electron energies in the diode. Comparison of POS operation with and without plasma fill was obtained. Current and voltage traces indicate the change in POS performance realized by use of the plasma filled diode