Increase of plasma opening switch conduction phase duration

An increase of plasma opening switch (POS) conduction phase duration allows to transport higher charge density through the POS which is important for high power pulsed systems. The results of experiments on conduction phase duration increase up to 40 /spl mu/s are reported. The results of this research are employed by the "BAIKAL" superpower generator creation program which has a particular need in resolving the problem of long duration POS current prepulse utilization. The experiments were conducted at two-stage generator. The first stage-a pulsed capacitor with 40 /spl mu/s current front, the second one-Marx generator with 1 /spl mu/s current front. The operation of the POS was examined both with one and two stages.