Fast High-Energy Switch Development for Plasma Focus Research

With the dense plasma focus it is important to maximize the delivered current. Through impedance matching considerations, it is evident that this requires higher voltage operation instead of increased capacitance for higher energy systems. Graded vacuum switches have been used with dc charged 50-kV, 10-kJ capacitor modules and with pulsed charged 50-kV, 17.5-kJ swinging Marx capacitor modules with good operation. For higher voltage operation a field distortion pressure switch has been developed and tested with a 60-kV, 26-kJ capacitor module. This switch should be useful at voltages up to 100 kV.