Particle simulation of opening process in long conduction time plasma opening switch

The opening process of long conduction time plasma opening switch has been studied by particle-in-cell simulation. The building of computing model and complex boundaries is introducedin detail. Simulation results reveal the opening gap formation process and its mechanism. It is shown that both Hall erosion and electrostatic erosion affect the gap formation process, however, the latter is introduced by the magnetic field expulsion and dominates the opening stage eventually.