High current operation of the back lighted thyratron, an optically triggered, low pressure diffuse discharge closing switch that operates with a self heated, super-emissive cathode, is reported. Repetitive operation at 5 Hz, 17.5 kV, 60 kA, with 500 ns pulse length has been achieved. The switch exhibits no high current limit up to 82 kA. High dI/dt≳1011 A/s and <45 ns rise times have been obtained. The high current and short rise time capabilities make this switch a possible replacement for spark gaps and multiple parallel thyratron switches in accelerator and laser applications.