Study of current development in the eptron and optimization of its parameters for laser pumping

The results of experimental studies and simulations of current development in slit discharge switches with a plasma cathode (eptrons) are presented. It is demonstrated that applying an additional ionizing pulse in the cathode region of the switch, as well as increasing the pulse repetition frequency, helps reduce the two-stage nature of current development. Using a copper vapor laser as an example, the influence of additional cathode region ionization in the eptron on the frequency-energy characteristics of the laser is shown.