One- and two-dimensional particle simulations of plasma opening switches

One-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2-½ D) particle codes are used to examine plasma opening switches. The 1D PIC codes offer a detailed view of selected important pieces of the problem, but they neglect important geometric effects. Issues discussed in this paper include the effects of different circuit models and of electrode boundary conditions. Simulations comparing the 1D PIC code REFLEX to a 2-½ D fully electromagnetic PIC code ISIS are performed in a radial geometry. The geometry of the simulations are closer to a plasma-filled diode (PFD) than a plasma erosion opening switch (PEOS). With the application of an axial magnetic field much stronger than the self magnetic field of the switch current, the 1D and 2D simulations closely agree. The opening occurs by the formation of a planar gap. When the axial magnetic field is comparable to the maximum self magnetic field, the 2D switch behavior remains similar to the 1D models. When the external magnetic field is absent, very different behavior occurs. The opening occurs by a combination of gap formation aided by the pinching of the beam by the self magnetic field.