Plasma-opening-switch-based repetitive generator

Operation peculiarities of the RS-20 generator based on the plasma opening switch (POS) including its repetitive operation capabilities are reviewed. They are: limited current value, gas emission, pulsed heat loads, etc. The feasibility of a POS with maximum impedance and relatively low (100 kA and lower) drive current is being investigated. The evolution of the POS design used in the repetitive X-ray generator RS-20 is presented in various schemes. The "reflecting" scheme has a variable anode transparency in the direction of the load and another scheme uses an external pulsed magnetic field. The paper describes a combined X-ray converter having a multilayer structure: a thin layer of fine-grained tungsten is placed between two layers of carbon film. The progress achieved in improvement of the RS-20 main units (Marx Generator, Plasma Opening Switch, X-ray Converter) made it possible to increase their lifetime to more than 10/sup 7/ pulses without replacement.