Magnetodynamic Submicrosecond Current Interrupter

The feasibility of using a magnetodynamic current interrupter for switching multimegaampere current pulses is considered. The operation of the interrupter is based on the fast buildup of edge instabilities. A technical solution is suggested, and the performance of the interrupter when used in the second stage of peaking the current of helical explosive magnetic generators (HEMGs) and capacitor banks is predicted. It is shown by computer simulation that the interrupter can operate in the submicrosecond range and switch currents as high as several tens of megaamperes, the operating speed of the interrupter increasing with linear current density. The limit actuation time of the interrupter may be on the order of 100 ns. A prototype of the interrupter is experimentally verified on a capacitor setup by switching currents with an amplitude of 4.3–4.5 MA.