Electrical characteristics of a small plasma focus device

Efficient plasma focus operation relies on uniform initial breakdown across the insulator surface. In this paper, we discuss basic plasma focus electric circuit, in order to highlight circuit modifications that produce high voltage oscillation at initial breakdown time. Superimposed on the main discharge voltage such oscillating voltage has been found in real systems to enhance the initial gas breakdown by localizing the initial current path across the insulator surface. PSpice circuit simulations are compared with electric signals from different operational plasma focus devices.