Oxidative opening switch assembly and methods

A pulse forming network comprising:

• a power source;
• an output load;
• a closing switch in electrical communication with the output load;
• and
• an oxidative opening switch connected in parallel electrical communication with the output load;
• the oxidative opening switch comprising
• a first terminal;
• a second terminal;
• and
• a switch element in electrical communication with the first terminal and the second terminal, the switch element comprising a conductive material and an oxidizer, the oxidative switch element configured to interrupt electrical communication between the first terminal and the second terminal as a result of an oxidation reaction between the conductive material and the oxidizer, the oxidation reaction triggered by Joule heating of the conductive material;
• the pulse forming network configured to deliver an electrical pulse to the output load when the closing switch closes and the opening switch opens.