Theoretical modeling of the plasma-erosion opening switch for inductive-storage applications

A theoretical model for the plasma erosion opening switch (PEOS) which predicts its voltage, current and impedance history as a function of the input waveforms, geometry and switch parameters are presented. Scaling laws for the switch operation are developed from this model. Systems requirements for pulse compression and power multiplication using inductive storage are derived from a simple lumped circuit analysis and a transmission line analysis. These requirements are satisfied using the PEOS as a fast opening, vacuum switch in a configuration relevant for existing high power accelerators. The switch model is incorporated into a transmission line code for comparison with recent inductive storage experiments.