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Published: 1989

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The high performance explosively powered flux compression generator (FCG) represents a proven source of very large electrical energies, at very high currents, low impedances, and modest powers that is suitable for powering a variety of plasma and beam experiments. Flux compressors have the advantage of delivering energy at low and high current and are ideal for energizing inductive energy storages. They are straightforward, compact, and inexpensive, when evaluated on the basis of cost per joule for a limited number of experiments. Conventional flux compressors have the disadvantage of delivering these enormous energies on relatively long timescales thus making some form of power conditioning essential for powering many interesting loads. Since flux compressors are ideally suited to energizing inductive loads, power conditioning systems based upon inductive store/opening switch techniques are complementary to FCG energy sources. For some experiments, straightforward application of one of a variety of high-current interrupters can provide the needed power conditioning. For more demanding experiments, multi-stage combination of switches may be required. And for loads requiring voltages in excess of a few hundred kilovolts, opening switches coupled with energy storage transformers are suitable. In this paper, we will review switch concepts that have been used in conjunction with flux compressors which deliver energies in the range of 1--20 MJ. These concepts include conventional electrically-exploded fuses, explosively-formed fuses, plasma-dynamic switches, and combinations of these elements. 6 refs., 12 figs.