Efficiency limitations for plasma opening switch operation

The deterioration of plasma opening switch (POS) impedance corresponds to the increase of the energy losses in the POS and, respectively, to the decrease of the stored energy efficiency transfer to the downstream load. Simple analysis shows that POS energy losses also depend on the type of the downstream load and the ratio between the upstream and the downstream inductances. It is very likely that almost all the energy losses that occur during the POS operation are related with the generation of high energetic electron/ion flows. The authors discuss models and observed experimental data, in order to minimize these energy losses and correspondingly, to improve POS impedance, it is preferable to decrease conduction time to a sub-microsecond time scale, operate POS at moderate level of the stored current amplitude, and to use low impedance load. In this case, electron losses will be almost suppressed and ion losses will be minimized.