Experimental investigation on the conduction phase of the microsecond plasma opening switch

The results of the experimental studies on the conduction phase of the microsecond plasma opening switch are given. It was shown that during this phase the translation of current channel (CC) in the plasma near the anode was taking place with anomalous high velocity. The ion component of the current reached 25-30% of the total value, and the current lines late in the conduction phase acquired considerable slant in the axial direction. The ion current behind the CC made up more than 30% of the total current there; the ion current density reached the maximum already in the conduction phase and slowly decreased during switching.