Switching of pulses with a power of 500 MW and subnanosecond rise front based on open discharge

The switching characteristics of open discharge in the plane geometry that occurs in a cell with opposed electron beams are studied. Switching time of 400 ps at voltage of 20 kV is obtained in helium. Current amplitude of 28 kA at current rise rate of 3.7 $\times$ 10$^{13}$ A/s is achieved. The mechanism of the transition of the switcher to the high-conductivity state, which is based on photoemission induced by the resonance radiation of fast atoms, is considered.