Plasma erosion switches with imploding plasma loads on the pithon generator

Abstract Plasma erosion switches have been fielded on the PITHON generator during imploding plasma experiments. Theta pinch plasma guns were used to inject carbon plasmas of densities in the range 10 12 –10 14 /cm 3 between the electrodes of the vacuum power feed region, upstream from an imploding plasma load. Current monitors indicated that the erosion switches carried substantial current early in time, diverting it from the load. Late in the pulse the erosion switches opened, transferring the current to an imploding plasma with the effect of sharpening the current risetime at the load. Associated with the sharper risetime was an improvement in the quality of the plasma implosions. The results of varying the density and total number of particles in the plasma of the switches are presented with regard to the effect on the current along the vacuum feed and on the behavior of vacuum flowing electrons.