Electrode phenomena and measurements of the erosion rate in high-current pseudospark-switches

For microsecond pulses and peak currents up to 105 kA, the erosion rate and the discharge behaviour of molybdenum electrodes was investigated. A contraction of the plasma column occurs at the cathode for peak currents above 20 kA, as indicated by streak photography. A bright luminous anode flare appears at a peak current of about 40 kA, correlated with an evident anode melting. A further constriction of the anode flare was observed for currents exceeding 90 kA. In opposition to lower currents, an increase in weight of the cathode was also noticed