Fast opening, low force poppet valve

A valve comprising:

• an inlet configured to receive pressurized gas;
• a primary outlet configured to receive the pressurized gas from the inlet;
• a vent outlet configured to receive the pressurized gas from the primary outlet;
• and
• a plug assembly configured to be controllably adjusted amongst at least three configurations comprising:
• a first configuration in which the plug assembly prevents the pressurized gas from flowing to the primary outlet and/or to the vent outlet;
• a second configuration different from the first configuration and in which the plug assembly allows the pressurized gas to flow from the inlet to the primary outlet and prevents the pressurized gas from flowing to the vent outlet;
• and
• a third configuration different from the first configuration and the second configuration and in which the plug assembly allows the pressurized gas to flow from the primary outlet to the vent outlet.

A plasma compression system configured to receive and contain a plasma within a volume at least partially bounded by a circulating metallic liquid medium and to controllably compress the liquid medium around the plasma thereby reducing the volume and compressing the plasma, the system comprising:

• a plurality of drivers configured to apply impulses to the liquid medium;
• and
• at least one valve in fluid communication with a source containing compressed gas and at least one driver of the plurality of drivers, the at least one valve comprising a plug and having:
• a closed state in which the plug is seated by gas pressure from the source and/or by a spring of the at least one valve;
• and
• an open state in which the plug is driven open by the gas pressure from the source.