Overview of Recent Results from the Triggered Plasma Opening Switch Experiment
Abstract
The Triggered Plasma Opening Switch (TPOS) at SNL is a unique device that exploits the high conductivity and low mass properties of plasma. The TPOS's objective is to take the initial ∼ .8MA ( ∼ 250ns rise time) storage inductor current and deliver ∼ .5MA ( ∼ 10ns rise time) to a load of ∼ 5-10Ω . Configuration advantages include low current jitter and resistive voltage drop, power gain, and minimization of trigger input power as the result of using two stages in series. This two-stage design is novel and is the first to demonstrate operation of magnetically triggered stages. Study of TPOS characteristics is in progress via side apparatus and magnetic field calculations; specifically, a microwave interferometer is being implemented to explore the density/uniformity of the plasma sources.
- Publication:
-
APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- November 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004APS..DPPEP1119J