Experimental characterization of GIT-8 plasma opening switch

High-current Plasma Opening Switch was experimentally studied on OIT -8 inductive generator. Cordial laser interferometry allowed to register the line-integrated POS plasma density dynamics during the switch operation. Recording of the axially distributed Bremsstrahlung radiation from the plasma region was used to determine the axial position where the opening started. New experimental result was the registration of fast plasma density oscillations with the characteristic frequency of ω ∼ 5 × 10⁷ − 10⁸ rad/s prior and during the opening. Special study confirmed these oscillations to appear due to a plasma process. The oscillation frequency depended on the mean electron density as ω ∼ ne−0.5.