The counter-pulse semiconductor opening switch of the Kapitza facility

For the generation of very high current pulses, TNO PML-Pulse Physics has designed a pulse forming network, caalled Kapitza facility, consisting of an energy source, a semiconductor opening switch, a magnetic flux compressor and a load. With respect to the swich concept used, two generations have been developed. The paper presents the calculated and measured current and voltage response of the first generation while expressions for the response of the second generation are given.