Generation and application of moderate power, ultra-wideband or impulse signals

The author discusses methods of generating very short risetime pulses using linear and nonlinear, optically initiated semiconductor switches, transit time delay diodes, and unique circuit configurations. The development of very fast (tens of picoseconds), moderate voltage, (1-20-kV) electronic switches based on optically initiated and transient impact ionization processes in semiconductors has made possible a number of applications of short (tens to hundreds of piceseconds) electromagnetic pulses. These applications include high-resolution, time-domain radar, all-semiconductor, short pulse laser sources, compact high pulse rate lidar systems, and high-resolution imaging and identification