Influence of the plasma source parameters on the performances of long-conduction-time plasma opening switch

A plasma erosion opening switch (PEOS) which works in long-conduction-time (about 1μs) has been developed. The influence of plasma source parameters including the time delay bwtween plasma gun and Marx generator, the working voltage and the number of plasma guns on the performances of PEOS has been investigated in experiments. As a result, the conduction time and the PEOS voltage increase with increasing Marx-plasma gun time delay, the working voltage and the number of plasma guns. Nevertheless, when the conduction time is close to the quarter period of the main electrical circuit, the PEOS voltage drops abruptly. With Marx voltage of 120kV and four plasma guns, the maximal voltage multiplication factor is about 1.8.