Anomalous resistivity in the plasma opening switch

Experimental studies and modelling together with analytical consideration of the plasma opening switch (POS) anomalous resistivity are being pursued to improve the understanding of the physical mechanism of the POS conduction phase. Experiments have been undertaken for a “microsecond” POS of coaxial geometry. Measurements of Stark broadening of Hα line allowed to find turbulent oscillations in plasma at the stage of conductivity. A comparison with the modelling including low-frequency (ion-acoustic) turbulence and Doppler broadening (neutral gas temperature 1–3 eV) allowed to estimate the value of electric field 10–30 kV/cm. The turbulent field increased toward the cathode up to 50 kV/cm in the near-cathode layer.