Improved performance of a plasma opening switch using a novel anode configuration

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science 1994-06, Vol.22 (3), p.242-245
• Main Authors: Goyer, J.R., Kortbawi, D., Sincerny, P.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 426000 - Engineering- Components, Electron Devices & Circuits- (1990-); Anodes; DATA; ELECTRIC POTENTIAL; Electrical engineering; ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT; Electrodes; Electrons; ENGINEERING; Exact sciences and technology; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; Gases; Impedance; Inductors; INFORMATION; MODIFICATIONS; NUMERICAL DATA; Physics; Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges; Physics of plasmas and electric discharges; Plasma devices; Plasma measurements; PLASMA SIMULATION; PLASMA SWITCHES; Plasma switches (e.g., spark gaps); Plasma switches (eg, spark gaps); Power system modeling; SIMULATION; SWITCHES; USES; Vacuum systems; Voltage
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/27.297873

The performance of a plasma opening switch (POS), as measured by the peak opening voltage developed, has been improved from /spl ap/1.2 to /spl ap/2.3 MV through a simple modification of the anode electrode. This modification was motivated by observation of electron damage to the anode in the POS region, and consisted of the removal of any metallic surfaces that exhibited significant damage and were not essential to the integrity of the switch. Because present analytic theories and PIC simulations of the switch have not yet addressed the effect modifications to the anode may have to the opening phase in depth, it is hoped that in addition to providing a technique for improving POS operation, the work reported here may also provide incentive for further theoretical investigation.< >